content to sit behind the fire and watch the shadows
it's a very, very sad state of politics in Canada. the imitation government we have had for twelve years has become the safety blanket our country's child-like citizens don't wish to part with.
against this imitation is another government which actually seeks to serve its people. the provincial gov't in alberta, rather than capitalize on the huge increase in oil prices like the federal gov't (because of its huge gain in tax revenue off gas), the province has decided to REWARD its people. (ironically, the gov't giving to its people now looks strange because the rest of the country [minus quebec and its strange relationship to the federal gov't] has the experience of giving to the gov't.) since it is completely debt-free (the only province in Canada in this position), alberta has the freedom to help itself with a $400 cheque to every woman, man, and child in the province. now, naturally, living with an imitation gov't for twelve years has made some people think this is the wrong idea. premier Ralph Klein's response? "no one is under any obligation to take the money." beautiful. simply beautiful. the freedom lies within the power of the people to respond to the work of gov't...if they disagree with a province giving back to its people they are able to exercise this freedom by rejecting the gift. let's see how many really consider this a bad idea by not putting their herbie hancock on the back and strolling to the bank.
and yet the country is poised to sweep the Liberals to another majority gov't. it is now time to stop arguing rationally about why this is the case. there is no rationale. the reason the Liberals are about to sweep to victory again is because about 40% of the country has mistook the shadow for reality--a deception it has *accepted* because it's easier to operate out of laziness than hard work, out of ignorance than criticism, and fear than courage.
against this imitation is another government which actually seeks to serve its people. the provincial gov't in alberta, rather than capitalize on the huge increase in oil prices like the federal gov't (because of its huge gain in tax revenue off gas), the province has decided to REWARD its people. (ironically, the gov't giving to its people now looks strange because the rest of the country [minus quebec and its strange relationship to the federal gov't] has the experience of giving to the gov't.) since it is completely debt-free (the only province in Canada in this position), alberta has the freedom to help itself with a $400 cheque to every woman, man, and child in the province. now, naturally, living with an imitation gov't for twelve years has made some people think this is the wrong idea. premier Ralph Klein's response? "no one is under any obligation to take the money." beautiful. simply beautiful. the freedom lies within the power of the people to respond to the work of gov't...if they disagree with a province giving back to its people they are able to exercise this freedom by rejecting the gift. let's see how many really consider this a bad idea by not putting their herbie hancock on the back and strolling to the bank.
and yet the country is poised to sweep the Liberals to another majority gov't. it is now time to stop arguing rationally about why this is the case. there is no rationale. the reason the Liberals are about to sweep to victory again is because about 40% of the country has mistook the shadow for reality--a deception it has *accepted* because it's easier to operate out of laziness than hard work, out of ignorance than criticism, and fear than courage.
posted by Aaron Perry at
12:52 PM
7 Comments:
which reminds me: TWO THUMBS UP to RALPH KLEIN for that ingenious response.
Of course, you are correct. The Canadian electorate has a severe case of "battered wife syndrome". We keep going back to the Liberals regardless of their abuse because we really believe we don't deserve better.
And to keep us from waking up to the fact, the CBC keeps playing Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans"
I'd like to hear some down east friends--who are as responsible as any east of Thunder Bay--how they justify continually re-electing proven liars and thieves.
i have noticed that about "Talking to Americans." once was really funny. twice was kinda cute. three times, and i'm seeing the complex behind its repetition.
Well, ap, I know you have friends in NB and other Eastern provinces who suck up to the trough of Ontario and Alberta transfer payments and keep voting in the crooks. Apparently, however, you have scared them off with your withering critique. Chickens.
You go Socrates.
my friends all vote Conservative! :)
I vote NDP, lol, though BC has suffered at their hands I think. I admire the NDP for their focus on social issues, yet I have to say that they're not so efficient at the paperwork. There's a lot of red tape and such out here in BC...left from their meddling.
OH..and I meant to say...that you put all this political stuff..in perspective. Even lil ol me can follow politics if you were always the one summarizing it up..haha.
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