Politicians should remember who gave them their job
By Letter to the Editor on February 28, 2018.
Are politicians genetically defective? There’s a study that shows positions of power tend to attract psychopaths and sociopaths and from what we’re seeing we shouldn’t doubt it. This Alberta-BC pipeline/wine feud is ludicrous. We all have rights to safety and security. But not according to the power-tripping psychopaths and sociopaths. Kinder Morgan doesn’t care about the environment or people because they’ll get increased profits. And what happens with a major oil spill? We, the taxpayers, pay for it. The oil industry is notorious for shifting responsibility and this is when, not if. The safety record of this industry is abysmal. British Columbians worry because this pipeline crosses sensitive land, waterways, and runs through the middle of cities. When it breaks the ecosystem, water supply, homes, wildlife and lifestyle of literally millions will be affected for years. Even one leak is dangerous, especially from a tanker. Increasing pipeline capacity will increase traffic from five very large tankers per month to thirty four in a constricted waterway. Remember Exxon Valdez? Twenty-nine years and $7 billion later it still isn’t fixed. That wasn’t even in a populated area. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, steamrolling this pipeline, is showing the heavy hand of democracy by refusing to listen to the people who elected him. We voice legitimate concerns and he tells us we have no rights. Welcome to his democracy. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is a spoiled princess. B.C. hasn’t stopped the oil flow but she throws a tantrum by temporarily banning a $70 million per year industry, punishing the many people in both provinces who rely on those products, possibly putting them out of work. She’s doing this to keep her job by creating a “war” footing to rally people behind her for the next election. This isn’t about jobs or the right thing, it’s about her. And the claims of thousands of jobs and economic benefits are just plain stupid. The jobs are temporary and the benefits will go into Kinder Morgan’s pockets. What Notley needs to do is invest in refining and production facilities in Alberta where end products can be made and sold. That is where tens of thousands of jobs will come from, not from this idiocy. Our politicians, our employees, have to learn the heavy hand of democracy is not allowed, that our rights mean something. Because they seem to forget we gave them a job. And we can take it away. Keith Guthmiller Medicine Hat 11-10
