On selective concerns

The past decade-plus in Canadian politics has seen a non-stop series of changes to tax rates and structures - with a particular focus on handing yet more money to those who already have the most. And I'll challenge readers to find a single commentator suggesting that we hold off on the next proposed giveaway because it might lead to imbalance against other forms of taxation - even though some of the major changes (such as year after year of corporate tax slashing) would obviously have a potential impact on the form of corporate structure chosen by Canadian businesses.

Naturally, though, that nonchalance only applies in one direction, as it's impossible to suggest increasing taxes on those who can afford it most without being met with a declaration that we shouldn't do anything unless we're absolutely certain it won't change incentives in the slightest. And it's worth noting that the selective concern says far more about the pundits applying a radically different standard to tax increases than to tax cuts than it does about the merits of the policy choices involved.