A victim of our own success

Commentary by Chris Clegg

“Why can’t anyone decent run for political office?” It’s a common lament people make when referring to federal politics. The fact we have three leaders who are as appealing a week-old root beer makes a person wonder where the political parties come up with these people. The fact is, it’s easy to understand why. Canada is a victim of its own success. We succeed not because of our government, but despite our government. We are embarrassingly rich. Natural resources abound in such quantity we can sell them off for profit and watch the money roll in. A country which produces natural resources needs people to work the mines and oilfields. Generally, these are jobs which pay well. When people make money, they don’t complain hence the turnout at election time is poor. So, aspiring politicians line up to seek office. Generally, lawyers and doctors who have created a system so big it feeds off itself. Do you think for one second the lawyers want to mess with a justice system which makes them so much money. Yeah, right! So, the poor working stiff continues on, making money and paying his huge tax bill. He doesn’t care because he’s scratching out a very good living despite the yearly tax raping and pillaging. Meanwhile, the politicians in Ottawa continue to screw up. Where are the great leaders of today? Have a look around Canada and the world. Where is our next Abraham Lincoln? Sure isn’t George W. Bush. Thank God he has to leave soon! In England, no Margaret Thatcher on the horizon. Ah, the Iron Lady! What a lady! In Canada, where is our next Lester B. Pearson? Think for a minute Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion or Jack Layton fills the bill? We’ll pause here for the laughter to subside. For any country to reach its highest potential, it needs a great leader. A man or woman with great vision. Someone who can put aside personal and party bias to do what’s best for the country. Currently, Harper likes to brag about the balanced budget. Ditto for Alberta’s current premier, Ed Stelmach and former premier Ralph Klein. In Alberta, all they had to do was open the bank’s vault and watch the cash drop in. Oil at over $100 a barrel when a few years ago it was below $20. Miraculous political policy and good government is not the reason Alberta is drowning in cash. Anyone could run this province. There is no better place to live than Alberta and Canada. People also realize, however, how much better it could be. Rather than take their frustration on the current leaders, however, they are content to stay the course and make a good living. Government loves it this way. Just pay your taxes, shut up and let the corruption and wasteful spending continue. It’s called apathy and it’s spreading faster in our country than a sailor spending his money on shore leave. Until tough times strike, there is no solution because there is no desire to fix the problem.

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