The simple act of uttering words or a combination of words has very little meaning until the user gives them purpose. The meaning is determined by actions of the user. Words are nothing more than sounds or a single linguistic unit comprised of letters, without the accompanying actions to qualify them and ultimately give them a meaning. Like a dark shape moving under you while you swim in the ocean, words can be dangerous or innocuous.
On June 4, 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave one of the most inspirational speeches in the British House of Common’s history.
Within that speech were some very prophetic single linguistic units that were indeed backed-up with the actions of not only a leader, but an entire country. His speech described how the government under his leadership was committed to go on until the end defending their Island and their empire — whatever the cost may be. Churchill, with true conviction, firmly spoke those historic words about how they would fight in France, on the seas and oceans, and in the air, for their sovereignty.
Now imagine the consequences that the British Empire and the world would have suffered had his words not been backed up by his actions and those of his countrymen.
All too often, words within government seem innocuous, but in the end, they end up being dangerous. In Alberta, “living within our means” seems to have taken on the role of a predator devouring our future and the future of generations to come.
Alberta is under attack from a very formidable force, it’s not by an enemy that is armed and aggressive looking to subjugate the province, but instead it comes in the form of something just as destructive. The attack manifests itself in the form of crushing and crippling debt.
Just last week, a sign of how far the enemy has advanced showed itself on the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Alberta debt clock after it eclipsed $8 billion. This seems to be a direct contradiction to the words “living within our means” that adorns all communications coming from the Alberta government. Words that are obviously nothing more than sounds or a single linguistic unit comprised of letters.
That dark shape swimming under Albertans today is a predatory animal that has rows of razor-sharp teeth intent on devouring the wealth of Alberta and it will have our children’s and grandchildren’s futures for dessert. That dangerous predator is debt and it is the enemy of all of Alberta and our future.
As the elected steward of the future of the province of Alberta for Drumheller-Stettler, I will continue to fight for fiscal restraint and put into practice the words “living within our means” that have completely lost their meaning in this province.
Alberta is dealing with an enemy less obvious than what was faced by Churchill, but it could prove to be even more destructive, should those in government decide not to defend our island by controlling their spending.
Rick Strankman is the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.