We now have another Conservative minority. Dion will be gone (and Garth Turner!). We’ve added Garneau and Trudeau. I think that things are finally heading in a good direction for the country and the Liberal Party.

I’d like to list a few requests for change that I’d like to see occur over the next few administrations. Some are more provocative than others and I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.

Eliminate the Penny: The penny costs almost as much to produce as its fiat value. Rising commodity prices mean we are just throwing away capital. We should head the way Australia did and leave the nickel as the smallest currency denomination.

Legalize Marijuana: The costs of enforcing the currently criminalized drug use is absurd and creates a black market. Legalize, regulate, and tax like tobacco. We’ll be better off and people won’t have overbearing criminal records for a relatively harmless activity.

Suffrage for 16+ Years of Age: Current suffrage ages are arbitrary, as is the selection of 16, but I see no disadvantage in extending it. We allow consensual sexual relations and driver’s licenses at that age, why not the vote?

Eliminate the Tiered Minimum Wage: I’m pragmatic enough to know we can’t eliminate the minimum wage all together, but there should not be tiers as there are for youth and liquor servers. I do hope that the laws remain under the provincial governments. A national minimum wage is absurd and does not factor the differential cost of living in different regions.

Legalize Prostitution: A current black market exists resulting from a law trying to impose one view of morality. I would like to see, along with legalization, a form of brothel system similar to Nevada where workers can be safe, tested regularly, and properly taxed on their income.

Tax shift from Income to Consumption Taxes: Gradually phased in, hopefully with any income, capital gains/corporate taxes and estate taxes eliminated. I think it is misguided to cut gas taxes and the GST (as Harper has proposed and done, respectfully) and I do believe a “Green shift” to Carbon taxes over income taxes is needed.

A Two-Tier Health Care System: I’m not saying that people opting to be part of the private services should pay reduced taxes, but it should be their freedom to spend their money on private in Canada service. Too many situations exist where people just head to the US for services where it could be done here. Hopefully it will result in a reduction of the public system’s burden.

Elimination of Tariffs: We need to embrace free trade and stop squabbling over little clauses in NAFTA. The only use for tariffs should be for economic sanctions or national defense as determined by the Government.

Senate Term Limits: I believe 8-year term limits is a good suggestion. I haven’t made up my mind if the Senate should be appointed, elected or abolished, but I do believe in term limits. When a government wins consecutive governments, there should be a shift of power in the Senate. I will emphasize my support for regional representation in the Upper House.

Eliminate Agricultural Subsidies: It causes too much distortions in the market and doesn’t encourage free trade. Protectionalist policies need to end. Subsidies for any field are misguided distortions.

Those are a few items that come to mind. I also am not a fan of Employment Equity/Affirmative Action (believing it to be based on racism). I don’t see it likely that it will change soon. I would love to see us try to implement Education Vouchers, but I feel that that may be a little radical. I strongly feel that any of these actions is a step in the right direction; incremental steps may be all we need.

Currently Listening to: What a Catch, Donnie – Fall Out Boy

Random Wikipedia Article: Fingerstyle Guitar