Funding cuts always affect the ‘little people’

By Letter to the Editor on January 24, 2020.

Because of cuts to government income from taxes and resource revenue, we have seen cuts to services to the public and layoffs. We have seen increases in fees, and reductions in education and health programs. There is even talk of privatizing some government services to make them more “efficient” – did that work with AGT/Telus, Alberta Gas or Power?

What I haven’t seen is any reduction in pay for those administrators and executives, or have I missed something? The educational programs have been cut, but the student fees have increased. Who makes these decisions? Have their incomes and bonuses been reduced? I haven’t heard of any layoffs for the executive board of the University of Lethbridge or Lethbridge College. Has the president or CEO of either had cuts to their income or expenses?

Recently bureaucrats and legislators gave themselves a boost in pay without our approval. The ministers of the government give themselves a bonus for the extra responsibilities of their offices; have they even announced a reduction in expense accounts?

Why is it the “hard times” only affect students, the little people, the poor, the sick and the working people, while the upper income levels are never affected by hard economic reality? Could it be that the people who benefit most from the current situation set things up for themselves, without even asking the rest of us? Is that how “responsible” government in a democracy works?

When will people get “mad as hell” and refuse to take it anymore? Would that ever happen in wimpy Canada, where we allow politicians like Harper and Kenney to walk all over us with their secret agendas? Part of citizenship in a democracy is “speaking in the marketplace.” Today’s idea of the “market” leaves no room for the citizen, only consumers.

Don Ryane

Lethbridge

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