Suspiciously minded, I am, I am
Suspicious minds are the single defence against the politicians of our society. Unsure? Let’s examine a few of the stories from this week.
Locally, the desire to join with the neighbours in a dance called “amalgamation” has overshadowed the other desire (to drive around in circles at any important intersection). Although the democratic process is mentioned as the core value, it’s odd how hard some landowners are having to fight to remain outside the net of an “improved tax base”. After all, with more pockets, the tax process should lead to better conditions for the citizens.
Odd, then, that in one community, the only piece of land exempted from the process underway belongs to the premier’s brother. Follow the money. Avoid amalgamation, keep your lower tax bill. I must check to see if the brother’s name is Bill. Nope: Roger.
At the national level, we have learned that we’re going to own a pipeline (yet to be built) because the actual proprietor finds all the confrontation (with native groups, environmental groups, competing groups) to be unseemly. If the government will just purchase his dream, outright, he can return to his life as an idle billionaire in another nation without prejudice. The tab for that pipeline? Unclear, although the minister of finance has mentioned $4.5 billion (I’ve run out of available zeros to put that into standard notation). And to sweeten the deal, all we’re actually going to buy is a promise that we will “get the job done”… plus the eventual costs. Take that 4.5 and balloon it until completed.
Finally, we’re throwing another party for world leaders. The G7. Didn’t we do that recently? Anyhow, in part of central Quebec, plan to be bothered on all sides.
