Can we just talk about HST for a second?

So today, we started getting taxed a bit more in Ontario. They're calling it HST - which stands for the 'Harmonized Sales Tax'

Right.

So, I work at a grocery store (the epicentre of success, I am) and I know a thing or two about HST. Seriously, I know like two things. First, gas. Gas goes up in price. Big fucking shock there, guys. You need gas, the Government needs money, therefore the government wants to earn money on gas. Super. Now that that's out of the way...

For those of you, like me, who don't buy much gas, you're def wondering what stuff is going to affect you. Well, my friends, I can help you out there! Some interesting tidbits; bottled water. Used to be pst, now it's hst.

Good talk.

But, um... beyond how it's going to affect my grocery bill, there's the way it affects our national (provincial?) identity. So like I say, I work in a grocery store (Food Basics, specifically). Up until now, we've had a discount on provincial sales tax for natives.

Now, personally, I don't agree with exemptions, or certain aspects the exemptions, at least, but I'm not okay with this.

What they're doing is, they're saying there are no exemptions for July and August. So all summer, natives will be paying both parts of HST, 13%. However, starting September first, they will pay reduced HST, which is the same as paying just GST yesterday (5%). It's ridiculous; just a ploy to make more money in the short run.

Which brings me to my point; They're going to separate it for some things, but not all. Stuff like Children's clothing, that sort of thing - stuff that's always just been GST, will now be reduced HST, which is so stupid because how harmonized is it if it's still just able to be split?

In conclusion, HST is just a way for the government to charge us more and make us feel like we're spending less. "It's better because now we're only paying one!" the average layman will say. Wrong. They just worded it that way to make you think they're helping, while they get more money by charging more for gas, flights, and other services.

Basically, the government's like "OMG guyz, can we has more money of yourz? Happy Canada Day!"

Sucks that we just sort of have to sit around and take it, doesn't it?