Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010
September 15, 2008
WCR Letters to the Editor
Joe Biden's policies challenged
As a Catholic, I am disgusted at this fawning over Joe Biden, whose leftist stances on various policies as "faith issues" somehow earned him indulgences from WCR for advocacy of abortion ("Biden brings a mixed Catholic message," WCR, Sept. 1).
Has socialism ever solved poverty (except for bureaucrats)? I believe that increased reliance on welfare, bureaucrats and social workers eroded the nuclear family, ending its ability to limit poverty. (Are bureaucrats a solid source of family values these days? I digress). This is a matter for debate.
The situation in Iraq is terrible, but have we forgotten what went on there before the Americans arrived? In any case, whether they improved things is a matter of debate.
Immigration is desirable but unlimited lawless immigration can overwhelm the society and the beneficial infrastructure that invited it. Where the limits are set is a matter for debate.
We all want a clean planet, but are we not often herded into "green" but unexamined technological and economic alternatives, the full consequences of which are yet to emerge, while new, unknown millionaires pander to the media-induced panic? This is a matter for debate.
Given agreement on the evil of poverty and other human suffering, Catholics on the left and right wings of the political spectrum can legitimately disagree over solutions. Abortion, however, is never a matter for debate.
During the DNC, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput told the Associated Press that Biden should refrain from taking Communion over his support for abortion. Biden's soft-sell on so-called "social issues of faith" does not fool Archbishop Chaput. WCR's soft-sell of leftist ideology packaged as Catholic doctrine does not fool me.
Elsewhere in WCR on Harper's government, someone bemoans that there is still abortion in Canada despite two-thirds of Canadians opposing it. Well, this is why.
Dan Bilenki
Calgary
U.S. V.P. nominee cited for conflicted abortion 'ideals'
The way I see it, Sen. Joe Biden brings a mixed-up Catholic message ("Biden brings mixed Catholic message," WCR, Sept. 1).
He supports legal abortion yet accepts the Church's teaching that human life begins at conception. Huh?
We are all too familiar with politicians saying anything to get elected.
There can be no middle ground on this issue.
Either he's pro-life or he's not.
May your readers be reminded that abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning and homosexual "marriage" are intrinsically evil and are in contradiction with moral law. It would be better not to vote than to accept a candidate who accepts any of these non-negotiable issues.
Joe Biden and Barack Obama are not friends of the pro-life movement. If elected, instead of opening the debate, they will slam it shut.
Doug Ouillette
Rimbey
Seniors struggle despite the 'Alberta Advantage'
The Alberta Advantage so often boasted by our government continues unabated for Alberta workers and public service employees providing them with the strongest year-after-year financial growth in wages earned, out-pacing their counterparts in every other province (Statistics Canada).
In the meantime, the seniors on fixed incomes, and the disadvantaged Albertans who must rely on government subsistence to survive with their standards of living deteriorating greatly year after year due to the inflationary rises in our province have lost all hope they too would be included in the Alberta Advantage.
Following his announcement late in 2004 that our government had achieved debt-free status, then Premier Klein, in keeping with his promise made in 1993, returned one of the programs lost to seniors involving the health care premiums.
With Stelmach replacing Klein as leader of the Conservatives, seniors have been patiently waiting with expectation that the government would, with the billions and billions of dollars pouring into government coffers, return the remaining senior support programs thus fully fulfilling the promise made to them in 1993.
This has not taken place.
With the recent introduction of the Demographic Planning Commission and its limited mandate of only studying what future retirees needs may be to subsist, the pioneers who built this province have given up all hope that Premier Stelmach who promised to do the right thing would fully fulfill the promise made to them in 1993.
From changes in policy that have taken place under Stelmach's leadership, it is evident that the promise made to the pioneers who built this province, although partially fulfilled by Premier Klein prior to his retirement, will not take place.
S.Michael Marlowe
Vice Chair
The Association of Seniors Helping Seniors
Edmonton
REAL Women offer support to family
Thank you very much for the comprehensive coverage given REAL Women of Canada ("Real Women provides 'alternative voice,'"WCR, Sept. 1).
This non-denominational, non-partisan organization of women provides a political voice for those who believe that the family is the most important institution of our society.
As pointed out in the article, since its inception REAL Women has worked diligently on issues affecting families, and its voice is increasingly heard by policymakers at home and internationally.
Provincial chapters of REAL Women provide a more local profile and are able to respond to issues of local concern. The Alberta chapter can be contacted at (780) 455-5249.
Therese Gervais
Secretary
REAL Women of Canada, Alberta Chapter
Morinville
Letters to the Editor
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