News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Well, he did it. US President Barack Obama has accomplished what Clinton failed to do and what many said was impossible, improbable and impractical. He has taken a step to ensure that citizens of the US can have real access to health care: insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and if people can’t afford health care, help will be available for them to get it anyway. 

The health care reform bill was passed on December 24---what a great Christmas present to the 40 million people living in the US without any health care at all. 

It wasn’t accomplished without immense opposition, and is described by many as being imperfect and short-sighted. I still say it’s a step in the right direction. I also think it’s interesting that the US has taken a step toward a government-regulated health care system at the same time that our government seems apathetic to the demise of ours. 

I hope the US government takes a careful look north, to see how not to maintain a health care system. It’s been 15 years since Finance Minister Paul Martin slashed health care transfer payments to the provinces by almost 50%, resulting in things like a drastic shortage of doctors, long waits for surgeries, the closing of emergency rooms and the loss of paramedic services. 

It’s very expensive to maintain a public health care system---it’s a commitment that requires things like compromise and vision. And money. It’s a little like purchasing an exotic pet.   

Just as important as the bonding moment between you and your new Bearded Dragon lizard, is the ongoing commitment to maintain him. It’s expensive. You may need things like special vitamins, equipment for a controlled air environment, lights, heat, timers, crickets and vet visits for 20 years. 

And I don’t care if he can play the piano and sing a mean Beatles cover tune, I’m embarrassed by Steven Harper’s apparent lack of commitment to true climate change reform. Instead of raising the standards for reforms that could affect the future of our planet, as suggested at the Copenhagen summit, he seems to want to lower them to please his corporate buddies. 

I hope that Canada hasn’t slipped so far down from being one of the top places in the world to live, that we can never make it back. Right now, it seems that Canada is becoming a wonderful place to live if you’re rich, really healthy and don’t give a fig about climate change or a true commitment to the environment. 

With a little help from your friends, indeed, Mr. Harper. Let’s hope your list of friends extends beyond corporate leaders and their best interests, to the everyday Canadians you are sworn to represent.

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