The Privileged People's Government

I noticed today, as I was cleaning behind the microwave, that some unopened mail had fallen back there, apparently recently. (Yes, my family tosses mail on top of the microwave instead of some more appropriate designated spot. Old habits). Among other items of junk mail, I found a letter from the House of Commons - specifically, the office of Jim Prentice (Conservative M.P. here in Calgary, for those not in the know).

Yep. Like many Calgarians, I, too, was treated to a boastful letter packed full of gushing Conservative sentiment from a government official just tickled over the super-terrific job Harper et al have been doing since coming into power a year and a half ago. Here's what he had to say about the fantastic things that have been happening in Calgary:

"Recently our government:

• fulfilled its promise to maintain Gas Tax funding for municipalities... This funding will be used to fund environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure projects, such as Calgary Transit expansion projects;
• pledged to refund all the GST cities pay to the Federal Government. Last year, over $23 million was returned to the City of Calgary which was used to fund capital projects in order to improve the lives of Calgarians. These projects include expansions of Heritage Park, Fort Calgary, the Calgary Zoo, the new central library branch, and the Calgary Science Centre;
• allocated $25 million inn new funding for Alberta to address local infrastructure priorities; and
• announced the consideration of up to $25 million in new funding for the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Western Legacy Expansion Project."

Great. But, I wonder why, in the midst of all these impressive numbers and makeover promises, I see no mention of ways to improve the lives of the 3400+ homeless Calgarians. Or the 22 000+ Calgarians who live below the Poverty Line (Hi!).

Why do I see no mention of money towards subsidies, or any programs to address the needs of these people? Why is there no talk of "funding" towards the ridiculous rent prices the city has recently seen in these "prosperous" months - an issue which has put countless Full Time (minimum wage, or slightly more) workers on the street. Rent Control? Shelters? Where's the money to address our educational needs?

The Calgary Zoo? I assure you, the Calgarians below the poverty line won't be sharing in any "improvements" to it - not at $18 admission. Heritage Park? $13.95.

I went through the entire letter, and a notable portion of Calgarians - and their needs - weren't mentioned at all. I guess they just don't exist to Mr. Prentice's Grand Government.

I'm reminded of a Political Cartoon I clipped out of the paper while I was still in High School. It was during the time when Calgarians - and our leaders - were in a tizzy over the possibility of our city losing our precious Flames (Hockey Team). We were all encouraged to buy season tickets as soon as we could to feed the pocketbooks of a group of indulged, egomaniac athletes, to prevent the dismantling of one of our proudest sources of entertainment. And, in the midst of all of this, one shrewd artist gave us a cartoon that stays with me even to this day: A billboard screams, "Save Our Flames" while directly below, the crumpled form of a homeless man sleeps sitting up on a bench in the cold.