August 21, 2003

The Barrhead Leader
Box 4520
“Town & Country Edition”
Barrhead, AB
T7N 1A4

Dear Editor,

Re: The Alberta Option Gains Double Digit Support And Here Is Why?

There are a number of reasons why Albertans are seriously considering the total and final separation of Alberta from the rest of Canada and allow us to form a sovereign nation of our own: a "Made In Alberta" option.  Albertans sent about $41 billion in all forms of taxes to Ottawa in 2002 and this is likely to grow because Ottawa has always seen Alberta to be a cash cow - WITH NO RECIPROCAL BENEFITS.  Let's examine these reasons:

1.  In 1993 just after Chretien was elected he signed a cheque for $60 million to DIG UP LAND MINES IN CAMBODIA/VIET NAM THAT THE PEOPLES ENGAGED IN THEIR WAR PLANTED;

2.  This summer, while on a visit to Russia, he took out YOUR chequebook and handed Putin a cheque for $149 million TO DISARM THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS THAT THEY BUILT;

3.  Let's not forget what our Premier Klein did to Albertans.  In 1997 his then Minister Steve West stated unequivocally that by de-regulating our utilities, prices would DECLINE.  Since that time we have seen some of the highest price charges for our utilities with no sign of any let up;

4.  Our premier also raised the rents paid by seniors in government-subsidized nursing homes by 40% this year without any consideration for those poor seniors that can hardly afford what they pay now;

5.  Our Minister of Community Development, Gene Zwozdesky, has handed out millions in grants (your hard earned tax dollars) to many known ethnic organization, etc. in Alberta without any known benefits to the general population and without any accountability;

6.  The federal gun registry fiasco costing us over a $1 billion will increase without any general benefit to the public; Note: Currently opposed by ten provincial government’s as of last Friday

7.  The feds also GAVE about $10 million to a one day SARS FEEL-GOOD CONCERT in Toronto without any measurable benefits.  I understand that the Rolling Stones received about $5 million of that.  What kind of a happy tune can you sing to that?

8.  We had one case of mad cow disease that has paralysed our producers and all the feds can say is, "we're studying the subject";

9.  The TAXPAYER, a publication of the Canadian Federation (which should be must reading for every Albertan) is replete with evidence obtained of the hundreds upon hundreds of millions of your hard earned tax dollars being given away without virtually any payback and ACCOUNTABILITY;

10. Finally, do you honestly think that under our present political system and the power that Quebec and Ontario wields, that there will ever be any positive changes for the west and ANY ACCOUNTABILITY TO US?

I can go on and on about the sorry state in which we find ourselves, but it is up to US - every right-thinking Albertan - to step up to the fore and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.  On the other hand, like former Premier William Aberhart stated in about 1938, “If You Haven't Been Punished Enough, You Have The God-Given Right To Be Punished Some More.”  It is up to you to do the right thing.  Don't let us down."

Al Romanchuk