Regarding the tax credits that were cut.

The Transit tax cut was put in as an environmental measure - it didn't encourage people to tax transit - 
For the Children's fitness and art credits - these were cut when the enhanced (ie more money) untaxable child tax benefit was brought in.

Personally I would like to see all of the tax credits eliminated except for the deduction for RRSP contributions as that is really only tax deferment not a tax reduction.

Stop trying to influence my spending using tax credits.  I am going to donate to charities regardless of the tax credit. The same for most of the other options.  Then just lower the general tax rate.