I just heard that Mike Harris is going to get rid of all those snitch-lines and allow people on welfare to determine for themselves just how much they need and how long they need it for.
You think he's crazy? You think that people would actually lie about how much money they need from the province to take care of their children and put food on the table, and to pay for those rapidly escalating rents on those de-controlled apartments? Do you really think someone might just quit his job out of sheer, perverse laziness, and collect welfare instead? How can you think that about people?
Just kidding, of course. Everyone knows that most people are fundamentally dishonest and, given half a chance, will cheat, lie, and steal at every opportunity.
Except...
Well, you see, Mikey Harris wants to do precisely the above.... except, he doesn't want to rely on the honesty and integrity of the poor. He wants to rely on the honesty and integrity of the rich, the owners and managers of big industrial concerns that might-- just might-- cut corners by dumping toxic wastes into the environment or polluting the air.
I'm not making this up. He wants to rely more on "self-regulation" and get rid of those unpleasant, annoying pollution inspectors and officials.
Was there ever a more toxic illustration of the real philosophy of the conservatives: two sets of laws and principles-- one for the rich, and one for the poor.
