No longer proud
I was once a proud Canadian: proud because I was born Canadian, proud because I believed in Canada, and proud we were a free, democratic nation that could be an example to the rest of the world.
I would have given my life for my country. I am sure that 81- year-old Jim Baxter felt the same way when he wore his naval uniform and fought for Canada.
Jim Baxter went to war along with thousands of other Canadians to defend and preserve these freedoms that many of us take for granted. Like the rest, he put his life and limb on the line so that we could be free.
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Like myself, many were not born yet but this former warrior, and thousands like him, fought for us and the generations yet to come.
Nearly 60 years later, Mr. Baxter turned to his MP for help in obtaining veteran’s benefits, only to be told to kiss off. The actual quote was, “How is it that you are writing to me for help if you didn’t think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me?”
What would have happened 60 years ago if Mr. Baxter and thousands of other Canadians told the government, “I didn’t vote for you so I’m not going to fight your war?”
Regardless who was in office and who voted for whom (those old enough to vote), they went to war.
This was not only a personal insult to Mr. Baxter, it was an affront to every man and woman who has donned the Canadian military uniform, past and present. This was an atrocity that is not forgivable and Tom Wappel, MP for Scarborough West, should be removed from the House of Commons permanently.
Jean Chrétien … expressed that this incident may not warrant such a serious reaction. “I’m not going to censure the free speech of my members,” he smugly commented.
My members? My members? This kind of remark, by a prime minister who jumps down to a school boy’s level and pokes fun at any opposition member that strays from the straight and narrow, has validated open season on anyone outside the Liberal circle.
Already this (has been) swept under (the) carpet in typical Liberal fashion. No punishment has been handed out nor will it happen. The Jean Chrétien family motto must read, “Do unto others before they can get you.”
It matters not what party we are affiliated to. Everyone, young or old, must speak out against this kind of unbecoming behavior. It was not only boorish, it was disrespectful and totally uncalled for.
Help right this wrong by writing, e-mailing or telephoning your MP (except in Scarborough West) and the prime minister … and get some proper justice for Jim Baxter.
From this day forward, I am a Yukoner first and only. As to being a Canadian, time will tell if I am willing to be humiliated.
To Mr. Jim Baxter, navy veteran, defender of freedom and democracy, thank you sir. You put your life on the line for me and millions of others. Because of men like yourself, I can appreciate the fact that I am able to see my grandson living free.
– Paul Harding,
Whitehorse, Yukon
Unfair
While APAS urges our provincial agricultural minister, Mr. (Clay) Serby, to still ask for cash and equality from our Federal government at the farmgate, here’s a question that I need to ask publicly: Why is every acre in Ontario going to receive the same level of federal support dollars through their Market Revenue Insurance program when there will be millions of acres in Saskatchewan that will only receive pennies per acre because Saskatchewan’s provincial government is delivering federal dollars through the Net Income Stabilization Account program with a cap of $125,000 worth of eligible sales?
This channeling through NISA restricts dollars to Saskatchewan farmers who have more acres than needed to reach the $125,000 cap.
Considering that a 1,000 acre farmer produced $125,000 of sales, a farmer with:
- 1,000 acres gets $7,000 or $7 per acre
- 5,000 acres gets $7,000 or $1.40 per acre
- 10,000 acres gets $7,000 or $.70 per acre
- 15,000 acres gets $7,000 or $.47 per acre
- 20,000 acres gets $7,000 or $.35 per acre.
While all acres in Ontario get the same dollars per acre through their MRI program. Even Alberta farmers are getting $10.29 for every acre they have.
Again our provincial government has sold us Saskatchewan farmers out.
– Lloyd Pletz,
Balcarres, Sask.
MPs’ pay
Jean Chrétien thinks time has come to increase wages for members of Parliament to keep and attract people skilled in administration and public relations.
Being an MP is a demanding job. Considering MPs are often instructed by the political leader how to vote makes democracy like a seam and explains why MPs often favor private corporate interests rather than the general public.
Many believe democracy means majority rules. That applies only when the majority is well informed. Tyrants, labor union bosses and big money powers seek to concentrate wealth and power. A true democracy works against such central control to maintain economic and social stability. Collectively our MPs have failed us in this area.
When I began growing canola, a bushel paid for 16 haircuts. Now two bushels of canola are required to pay for one haircut. Twenty bushels of canola would pay for an acre of good farmland.
Corporate entities working to squeeze out and discourage potential farmers killed that. A bushel of wheat paid for five gallons of fuel. Two thousand bushels of wheat would pay for a nice new half-ton truck. And now?
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as “government by the people and for the people.” … Had our MPs been working for the electorate rather than for private corporations or allowing the wealthy to dominate.
People not fighting against such injustice are not worthy of public office, yet there are a few very worthy MPs.
Someone said, “if people were paid according to how well they serve society, most lawyers would have to pay to practice their vocation.”
This applies to some MPs but definitely to Jean Chrétien.
– Stuart Makaroff,
Saskatoon, Sask.