Category Archives: The Issues

Caveat emptor

Abbotsford News distainful of low income earners

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I do not know Mr. Grant Granger so I cannot say if his words in “Casino’s will strike you Out” in the Saturday December 15th Abbotsford News are a result of prejudice, ignorance or a parochial mind set.

All I can definitely state is that I and other low income people I have spoken with about his scurrilous aspersions, find his words demeaning, defamatory and highly offensive.

As low income earners we do not have the money to waste on gambling. As responsible citizens we need all our funds to pay our bills.

Despite Mr. Granger’s assertion that we are brain dead to the point we “…mechanically put their money down the drain (i.e. slots)…” we have far too many better things to do and accomplish, than to waste precious time and money in this manner. We also understand mathematics, more than well enough to appreciate the statistical futility of counting on chance to solve our tight financial situations.

Mr. Granger would appear to be the one lacking in a grasp of basic mathematics. A simple application of mathematics makes clear that there is not enough cash in the hands of low income earners to generate the cash flow and profits casinos and gambling in general enjoy. A look in the mirror would reveal to Mr. Granger the economic class who are the bread and butter of the gambling industry.

Most condescending is the implicit assumption that the richness, enjoyment and value of a life are a function of income. While it is true a more substantial cash flow would make life easier, it would not, in and of itself, increase my joie de vie. His words would suggest that Mr. Granger is in serious need of re-evaluating his values and seeking a better spiritual understanding of what is of value in life.

Mr. Granger needs to stop displaying his contemptuousness for those with low incomes, insulting our intelligence and the value of our lives. He and his like especially need to stop the disrespectful behaviour of deceptively trotting out low income earners, crying counterfeit tears over us, in order to further their anti-gambling agenda.

If you are truly concerned for and about low income earners stop, worrying about YOUR agenda and start worrying about and addressing THEIR NEEDS.

Postscript: the newspapers that printed this piece of slanderous injustice owe an apology to all low income earners for disseminating this insulting claptrap.

Homeless, Provincial

TO: Kevin Falcon, Transportation Ministe

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FROM: www.homelessinabbotsford.com

RE: Improper Bridge Drainage Problems

We have, following the recent inclement weather, received a deluge of complaints about bridges leaking and/or suffering from improper drainage.

Not only does getting wet in cold weather pose a threat to health, it also is life threatening to the lives of those BC citizens/residents forced by the growing epidemic of homelessness to live under the bridges you bear responsiblity for.

These homeless wish to know what steps you, as the Minister responsible for these bridges, will be taking to remedy the problems with drainage in order that those forced to shelter beneath the bridges and remove the threat posed to the health and lives forced to live beneath the bridges, like trolls from the dark-ages tales.

The homeless would accept you championing the homeless and interceding on their behalf with your colleagues in lue of action on the bridges themselves.

Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance on the matter of realistic and viable shelter allowance levels and the replacement of the current ineffective programs with programs designed to deliver services of benefit to the clients, not for the ease of M.E.I.A. staff.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman in encouraging BC Housing to be proactive and flexible in seeking local partners to get some affordable housing initiatives underway in Abbotsford.

Premier Gordon Campbell to recognize the complex people issues lumped under labels such as homeless or addiction and recognize the need for ingenuity and initiative in addressing these growing issues sooner rather than waiting until they have become such a problem that the government is forced to act.

As a personal preference we at homelessinabbotsford.com would rather see these needs address in the proper manner and ministry, as opposed to continuing to sweep the problem under the bridges – and whatever makeshift shelter can be found.

Federal

On Conservative MP James Moore

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The point is not if the NDP apologizes or not.

The point is: when is Conservative MP James Moore is going to resign.

He was elected to take care of the people’s business; not to merely “put in time” in the house, passing the time engaged in prurient thought of his girlfriend. His behaviour shows a lack of judgment and a total failure in the duty of care owed not only to his constituents but also to all the citizens of Canada.

His behaviour suggests, if not demonstrates, that he is there merely to collect a paycheque, remaining uncaring, uninformed and unengaged with the issues challenging the country. Mr. Moore behaviour, thoughtlessly voting as the party dictates, serves to block the debate and discussion we need on a myriad of complex issues.

Mr. Moore needs to be replaced with someone with an interest in addressing the pressing issues, particularly the complex and growing social issues, requiring thought and intelligent action.

The questions Stephen Harper needs to answer is – how many other Conservative MP’s are merely there to collect a paycheque and what in his management style stiffles debate and engagement in the issues, resulting in non-participating MP’s.