Karmageddon

Karmageddon By Mr. ‘X’ ~ John Mutton CENTRAL EXCLUSIVE As I write my column from my second home in Croatia, it is impossible not to see the horrible events happening across the world. The total landscape change in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada proves the age-old theory that if you “import the Third World, you become the Third World.” Christian values have been established for centuries, and those who think they can be watered down—or that politicians can bring the wrong type of people into our country without causing a clash of heritage and culture—belong in Fantasyland. True leadership is necessary, like that shown by my friend Tommy Robinson in the UK, who arranged the Unite the Kingdom rally with Polish legislator Dominik Tarczyński. What is causing extreme violence is extremism or radicalism from both the left and the right. Closer to home, Olivia Chow has introduced a luxury tax on homes over $3 million, which in Toronto is not difficult to reach. However, her quote was that people who own $20-million homes can afford the tax. What about those who are additionally taxed under $20 million Sharpie? I must admit, this year’s budget process at the Region and in some of the local municipalities has brought about some of the most interest and activity I’ve seen in years. Some great debate from the anti–tax-increase side was led by Regional Councillors Brian Nicholson, Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Maurice Brenner, Steve Yamada, and Chris Leahy. The need to change the governance of Regional Council has never been more evident, given the plethora of non-mandated services we are providing. I have said it before: tax decreases can be achieved when we focus on what we are supposed to fund and exit funding and taxation for services we are not mandated to provide under the Municipal Act. The sooner we turn the Region into a services board—drop the regional councillors and make the Chair a Speaker of the House with no voting power—the better. Let local municipalities purchase only the services they require from the Region. At the provincial level, Doug is “Captain Canada,” taking on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis by claiming tourism in Florida is down. Ron pointed out that tourism has actually increased. I don’t think this one was researched by the kids running Doug’s communications—much like the flow regulator that wasn’t removed from the Crown Royal bottle during that stunt. Listen folks, I know both Doug and Ron, and I consider them both good people looking after their electorates. That said, if I had to bet on either one in this debate, I’m taking Ron DeSantis. He is brilliant, and his staff would not make rookie mistakes like Doug’s. So this week I was thinking about which rock stars our local politicians resemble. Here’s what I came up with: John Henry looks like Henry Rollins Olivia Chow like Yoko Ono Dan Carter like David Lee Roth Brian Nicholson like Chris Stapleton Jennifer French like Katy Perry.