Thread by @JeffRybak

I want to talk about taxes and why I like paying them. Okay, no one really likes-likes taxes, but I believe in taxes. It's how we pay for things we need as a society. And I believe that people who have more money, and make more money, should pay more taxes. #olpldr #onpoli 1/12

Figuring out what we "need" as a society can be complex. We need roads and police - that stuff is easy. But do we need universal pharmacare, public housing, addictions programs? Opinions differ. Decent people say "well okay, but I don't want to pay for that." #olpldr #onpoli 2/12

I do want to pay for that. And more besides. Because I can pay for my own family's needs. I make good money. But I want my son to grow up in a society where other people's needs are met too. The only way we can do that is if we all contribute. With taxes. #olpldr #onpoli 3/12

My family can't be comfortable and safe if the family down the road is desperate. Gated communities and private security can't solve this. Properly funded social programs can solve this. Leaving aside that it's the right thing to do, it's also common sense. #olpldr #onpoli 4/12

Some will say "give your money to charity if you want, but hands off mine." Except private charity will never be enough. Government is only way to operate at a scale big enough to address these problems. It's how we act together. And we pay for it with taxes. #olpldr #onpoli 5/12

Then sometimes government wastes our money. And people are angry about that. They deserve to be angry! I'm mad as hell when some a**hole wastes the taxes I've paid, not only because it's my money but because of the people who needed it! #olpldr #onpoli 6/12

Government waste, however infuriating, cannot become the reason we give up on helping people in the only effective way we can. It's a reason to get rid of the government we have and replace it - not to give up on collective action entirely. #olpldr #onpoli 7/12

I'm writing all of this because I've become involved in electing our next Liberal leader and hopefully our next Premier. I'm supporting Michael @Coteau. But I'm challenging all candidates - Michael included - to talk more about taxes and why they are good. #olpldr #onpoli 8/12

There are fiscal conservatives in the Liberal party - yes, we have them - taking money from business interests. They'll promise you can keep more of your money and take care of your own. But we can't take care of our families if we leave everyone else behind. #olpldr #onpoli 9/12

I don't want to belong to a rebuilt Liberal party that advocates primarily for the well-off and already-privileged. That's why I've become so active now. We're at a crossroads. And I believe the Liberal Party has much more to offer Ontario than PC-lite. #olpldr #onpoli 10/12

I still believe people are decent in this province. I believe they'll give up some money in their pockets if it means others are properly cared for and get the help they need. Decent people get it. They just want to know where the money is going, and why. #olpldr #onpoli 11/12

I'm proud when I pay my taxes. It's how we express our values as a society. Those values have slipped and need to be renewed, just like the Ontario Liberal Party itself. So let's have that conversation. Taxes are good, but must be spent well, and carefully. #olpldr #onpoli 12/12