The Alberta Progressive Conservative Party last week forced through the beginning of the end for the last element of nationalism we have in this country. Bill 11, which will allow for the existence of private health clinics, read for-profit, was slammed through the Alberta legislature and the one element of Canadian culture that was still intact is now threatened.
Ralph Klein has done some good for this province, I cannot deny that. The price that some people have had to pay for the Klein revolution has been revolting, but there is no denying some of the good that has been done. But putting us on the slippery slope towards the end of universal health care in the land that created it, will go down in the history books as unforgivable. Unforgivable except for the people of Alberta, of course...
Put this one in the books, prepare for another election in this province where Ralph will slide back into power, with little if any dents in his armour. Bill 11 put people in the streets. It sent people to Ottawa. But time and time again I read quotation and quip from the common man that addressed the Premier as, "knowing what's best for us", and that Joe Q. Albertan "trusts" him.
There used to be a number of things that were standard in this country from coast to coast. It's kind of integral to being a 'country'. But more and more, and the Bill 11 fiasco certainly represents this, we are becoming a loose collection of nation-states. The health care in Alberta will not be the same as that in Saskatchewan. Family allowances are no longer a national program. In proper sizing when printing in English in Quebec garners a fine. Tax breaks are handed out to every business industry, but the Oil and Gas industry.
As far as I can see about the only thing a Calgarian will have in common with someone from New Brunswick will be currency and where the tax bill is sent. This is the beginning of the end. History shows that when people do not feel a sense of solidarity, of togetherness, of sameness, they go their own ways. They find different goals, agendas.
Too extreme? Maybe. Am I just pissed that I can already see the first law suit from one of Alberta's new private clinics based on unfair subsidies under NAFTA? Think that's too extreme? American courier companies right now have put forth grievances under NAFTA against our post office for unfair subsidies. Why not private clinics? How will it be fair for them to compete when the government is subsidizing our hospitals? Kind of makes you weak in the knees doesn't it? Makes you think the wise thing might be to avoid private clinics.
But that is just one paranoid perspective. Ralph says there will be no cue-jumping. All I can say to that is whatever. Basic economics says that when people start paying for a service, start paying extra for a service they will demand better service. And they will get better service. Why would an over-worked doctor stay in a hospital, when a private clinic could offer more flexible hours and more money. Again you ask, how do you assume that a doctor will make more at a private clinic? I guess I cannot guarantee it will. The point is, and always has been, that Bill 11 opens the door.
I honestly believe Ralph Klein doesn't think he has killed health care. And I honestly don't believe that Bill 11 has done so in and of itself. But it opens the door. It starts us down the slippery slope. Klein likes to privatize everything. Clinics will be the start. Over-night surgeries, hip replacements, MRI's will be the start. But our aging population will be used as the justification for further privatization, mark my words. Remember GST? Like we all said then, and I repeat now, once it's there, there is no going back.
All I can hope for is that the feds beat the crap out of us on transfer payments. But even that will make Klein look good. He'll look like the visionary that was stomped on by Big Brother. Even though Big Brother is just trying to protect us from ourselves. And in the big picture, trying to protect the last of what is left of a great country.
That is all. Problems? Email me, I'll consider the praise and delete the criticism. Or get your ya-ya's out at the Rant Message Board.