Treasurers Blog - Ideas for the Occupy Movement

Around the globe, Occupy Wall Street protesters have identified issues such as income and wealth inequality, lack of voter choice, and environmental degradation, but offer no manifesto, and therefore their movement runs the risk of fizzling out.   I would like to suggest a possible manifesto for the movement, one that fits with Green Party of BC, and Global Green priorities.

            First of all, we need a more progressive tax  system.  This would take the form of higher tax rates at upper income levels and the closing of many loopholes that are open only to the wealthy.  Governments must avoid inter-jurisdictional tax competition which only leads to a race to the bottom. We might also consider an inheritance tax.  These measures would serve to reduce the gap between rich and poor with all its attendant dangers.

              I do not believe that higher taxes on higher earners would be counterproductive because those who truly contribute to society’s well being are doing it because of a sense of a fulfillment.  The money is only secondary.  Overall, we must recognize the connection between taxation and a livable society.

            We also need to focus on taxing bad things such as congestion, conspicuous consumption, emissions (i.e., a carbon tax) as well as retain current taxes on tobacco and alcohol.  Not only would such taxes reduce undesirable activities, therefore actually increasing economic efficiency, but they would raise needed revenue. 

            Perhaps most importantly,  we need to introduce a system of proportional representation.  We must replace the present unrepresentative and monopolistic first-past-the post system as it simply stifles all new ideas.  Too often citizens vote only to prevent a “worse” party from attaining power and they reject their preferred alternative.

David Pearce, Treasurer, Green Party BC