Federal Budget (of the Century)

Do you feel that? That's one big breath of fresh air. It's incredible how a Conservative budget can change the air quality in Toronto.

I had a little chuckle this morning when I read the headline of the Toronto Star which read, "I'm OK, You're OK". What kind of grudging endorsement is that? Gee, Prime Minister Harper's budget didn't cause the the earth didn't open up and envelop Toronto after all - I guess we can live another day.

Most criticism of the budget is directed toward the child care amount to be given to parents. Over and over, people criticize it for "not nearly covering the costs of child care." At what point did it become expected of the federal government to pay for the entire cost of child care?

The other day, I was speaking with a work colleague with Liberal tendencies. She was explaining how she tried child care centres for her kids, but it just didn't work for her family. Instead, she hired a nanny, but apparently that is rife with problems as well. "She won't do my laundry" "dinner is not ready for when I get home" "the floors aren't polished" blah, blah, blah.

Presented with an opportunity to stir up trouble, I asked her if she was happy with the Conservative's child care payment since she used a non-traditional form of child care. Her response? A laughing response of how ridiculous a payment would be because it doesn't come close to covering all the costs.

This brings me to my point: As a taxpayer, I don't want MY tax dollars to pay for other people's child care costs. I don't mind giving parents some help, but there is no way I should have to pay for the entire cost of caring for their kids. No way! If you have children, you should pay for your own bloody costs and not expect others to be burdened because of it!

So yes, $1200/year per child does not cover all the costs of child care - and so it should be!