Hello again friends:
Well, it’s been over a year since my last blog. Now two
major changes are once again leading me to pick away at my keyboard and let out
some steam.
Of course, the one major change is one that will affect us
all, the Liberal majority voted in by Canadians yesterday. Both the liberal and
NDP platforms were of concern to me, but even apart from that I’ve always been
convinced that socialism—at least as its practiced in Canada—is a flawed concept.
While the desire to increase benefits for the disadvantaged
is to be applauded, at the same time socialists attack business—especially big
business—which is their source of income for their social programs. That is why
we can expect growing deficits and debt in both Alberta and Canada over the
next four years. Maggie Thatcher said it best: “the problem with socialism is that
eventually you run out of other people’s money!”
Having said all that, most governments elected in western
countries rarely perform strictly according to their philosophy; there are too many
restraints already in place. So I’m interested to see what Justin Trudeau does
over the next few months. He needs my prayers as much as any other leader. I’m
at peace with the fact that God is still in control of the world’s affairs, and
there are much bigger problems beyond our borders.
So much for politics. The other change is a personal one.
Having had surgery over six years ago to remove a cancerous prostate,
the cancer has re-emerged in my bones. I am having treatment that should put it
to bed for a few more years yet, but there is no guarantee. I am just thankful
for the years I’ve had—I’ll be eighty next year—and for the health I enjoy. I
have never felt sick as a result of my cancer, and live life as normal as my
age would suggest.
However, I plan to take up regular blogging again, not only
to review whatever course this cancer might take, but also to express my
opinion on life as it unfolds. Writing my ideas out always clarifies my thinking
on issues, and if you find it helpful, I’m thankful for that bonus.
Look forward to meeting you here again.
Bryan
4 comments:
We're praying for you and Ann, Bryan. It's not an easy challenge. It was great to see the both of you in Edmonton last month. Chin up.
-Michelle, Jacob and Jim Rahn
We'll pop down to see you if we are able Bryan. Hopefully we will be down near there for the Alberta Winter Games.
I'm so sorry to hear this, Bryan! I do hope the Lord blesses you with many more years - you have more words to say yet! I will be praying for you and Ann.
And thank you for your political comment and Margaret Thatcher's succinct comment! We certainly need to pray for whoever is leading our country.
Pam
When Justin Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, came to power he had only been in elective office for a year and a half, but he had been Minister of Justice under Lester Pearson. He had Cabinet-level experience--something Justin Trudeau does not have. Trudeau's first cabinet appointments will be of critical importance.
He has a wealth of experience to choose from. Many of the names who served under Jean Chretien and Paul Martin are still around and he will need to draw on their experience if he is to take on the ship of state and navigate successfully.
He's already making a couple of mistakes: gender parity and a reduction in the number of ministers to 25. Having an equal number of men and women in Cabinet is doing nothing of substance for gender equality while at the same time restricting Trudeau's options. Limiting the cabinet to 25 also restricts him. There is potentially much cabinet-level ability among the newcomers to the Commons. Keep the number at 25 and you don't let them grow into it and in fact keep much of the talent out. It's both bad politics and bad administration.
Trudeau needs new talent in his Cabinet. If he builds a Cabinet of what can now be perceived (ten years onward) as the "old guard," he risks Canadians realizing why the Liberals were voted out of office in the first place and have been kept out for a decade.
But for now they're back. If the economy doesn't turn around, if the world is less stable, and if the nation incurs deep debt over Trudeau's term of office, voters will be taking a hard look at his father's son and expecting answers to some difficult questions come the next federal election.
For those of us in Alberta, let's hope both Kent Hehr and Randy Boissonnault make it to the Cabinet table.
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