Over the last two weeks, we have been receiving quite a number of letters to the editor. They come from near and far, by post or by e-mail.
And unlike some of the cases whereby a few individuals try to flood the community newspapers to raise their peculiar grievances by distributing e-mails en masse, these letters come from individuals who do seem to be genuinely concerned.
One of them is printed just next to this column this week.
The protests target Bill 50, the now-famous legislative initiative, which, purportedly, aims to bring a long term solution to a perceived crisis of power shortage in Alberta.
So what does the government intend to do?
The proposed solution to the prospective crisis (which is not yet in sight, according to some observers) is to construct a massive network of power lines, at an estimated value of $20 billion.
The road to Bill 50 was troublesome from the very beginning, you will remember: The government initiated and passed the legislation, Bill 19 earlier this year, ignoring all opposition and assuming powers to expropriate any piece of land deemed necessary for infrastructure projects, and in the process, to fine or jail people if they object.
There is, I believe justifiably, a lot of suspicion that these schemes have little to do with public good, and much to do with dispensing financial benefits.
If Bill 50 passes, which is very likely, Alberta’s taxpayers will be funding an infrastructure project, which private companies will use to distribute electricity to make profits.
For those who can see, Bill 50 is very likely to prove to be just another nail in the political coffin of the Progressive Conservative leadership under Premier Ed Stelmach.
One of the brightest minds to utilize English language to express his views, Oscar Wilde, is reported to have once said “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”
It is as if Mr. Stelmach is acting deliberately to have himself classified in the latter category.
If he believes that his overtly ideological and socially inadequate agenda is not being noticed by the electorate of this province, he should be taught a lesson when it is the turn of the voters to speak through the ballot box.
But if the electorate refuses to teach that lesson and awards the PC party with yet another term in office under Stelmach leadership, then that very wise premise will have stood the test of time yet again: “All societies are governed by rulers that they deserve.”
— Mustafa Eric