The weekend Advocate contained an interesting item regarding the maintenance and upkeep of our highways, schools and particularly hospitals in this province.
There has been note of such ongoing problems before, with delays in remedial work, etc. This was during the past several “boom” years economically.
Now that we are to be considered in recession, with slowing of oil-related work, this would appear to be the right time to put those laid-off skilled workers back on the job with the delayed infrastructure improvements.
We have long been brainwashed to believe that Alberta is at the top of the heap when it comes to having the “best” and the “most up to date” of everything.
While it is true that our schools, hospitals, etc., are holding up, our highways are showing obvious signs of neglect. The excuse given has been that most of the necessary workers were busy with oil employment. That does not apply any more.
So now, we are being told blandly by our government ministers that we are no different from the rest of the country — we are behind in maintenance, but so are all the other provinces. It is all “under discussion” so we can relax — we are all in the same situation. So we can continue with our ridiculous and unfair tax structure and never need to take on any debt. Goody for us!
Meantime, keep an eye on those decaying bridges, dubious or unsafe working conditions in our schools and hospitals, etc., unavoidable since there is a recession now. We dare not enquire as to why some of this work was not done during our fat years. And it certainly will not happen during lean years. But of course, that way we do not have to think about paying for any of it — until something catastrophic happens. After all, we are no worse off than anyone else, right?
Our conservative-style governments — all levels — have lost touch with anything resembling the common good. The voters are happy (or apathetic, same thing) so things can just roll along as usual. Except we all know they won’t — it is just a matter of when the hard facts need to be faced — not just “discussed.”
We are being hoodwinked by political doublespeak.
Will elections help? Pay attention, folks, it is our infrastructure, not the politicians, who own it. It is your money! Insist that it be put to uses that benefit everyone, including our future generations.
Bonnie Denhaan
Red Deer