A busy week
October 19, 2007 | 06:48 PM
Yes, it has been a busy week, with lots to talk about, and yet, nothing really earth shaking. More money for highways, YES, training spots, yes, conservation studies, maybe, kids extra curricular activities, sure, etc. etc. etc. It's all good, as long as it doesn't break the bank.
One issue I never hear about is the debt. This is going to have to be paid off, at some point and during times of prosperity is when we should be doing it, as a government. What's going to happen when the bucks aren't so plentiful and we need some basic things taken care of and we still have too much debt to borrow what we need?
Another thing that barely made the radar was the Libs plan to give 50 dollars to parents on welfare to get their kids to stay in school.
I am not on welfare, and I have 2 kids in school. Where's my hundred dollars?
While I like the concept of putting some more of the responsibility of keeping your kids in school on the parents, I don't like the idea of rewarding people for doing what they should be doing anyway. It really all comes down to semantics. I do think the welfare rates should rise a bit, and maybe if parents were told they would be punished for their children's truancy to the tune of 50 bucks a month more parents would keep an eye on their charges. It works out to the same thing, I admit but I like the optics better the second way. I believe strongly that parents should want to do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not so they can get paid for it.
I have been noticing the lack of mudslinging this campaign, which is good but it is kind of boring to watch, from a pundit's point of view. I would have no problem if this continues, as the dirty, fear based campaigns of the past made me sick to witness. If this continues then maybe voters will cast their votes based on who they actually want to win, instead of who they are scared of winning. We will see over the weekend if I will be getting my wish, as the parties are running out of new initiatives to unveil and now have to start defending themselves.
Comments: (3)
With regards to mudslinging and fearmongering, it hasn't completely gone away, but it is a *lot* tamer than last time. So far. Perhaps it will heat up in the final weeks.
The most so far has been the "Sask Party will sell all the Crowns, here's proof" the NDP trotted out, and the "sheep in wolf's clothing", which by the way was absolutely adorable. He looked like a Husky, panting and wagging his tail, waiting for a cookie. Probably not the image the NDP was going for...
Posted October 24, 2007 10:50 AM
Bravo on your comments regarding the retirement of debt. I agree 100%. I would love to know what has been paid down or off and what is left owing. I think that would be a masterful judging tool in regards to how effective the government has really been.
As for the $50 school scheme, I personally think it is one of the dumbest ideas I have heard. Granted there needs to be something done to increase attendance and truancy, but to offer the parents money is not the right option. I would rather see the money be used to restructure and redo the Young Offenders Act, doling out some adequate punishments where they are due. The problem as I see it, is that the youths of today know there are no real repercussions for any of their behaviours(be it absenteeism from school, vandalism, theft etc) and act accordingly. While parents need to be accountable as well, making some of these youth equally responsible for their actions may finally start to make them think before they act.
Posted October 23, 2007 01:24 PM
"I don't like the idea of rewarding people for doing what they should be doing anyway. It really all comes down to semantics."
But really, how can you punish them? A carrot (although undeserved) is a better solution than the stick. If we punish the parent by taking away money, the kid(s) involved only go further into poverty, or end up in foster care. If we give the parent community service as a punishment, they will need to hire a baby sitter, and they can't because they don't have the money to do that.
The Liberals are the only party I've heard address the truancy issue, and it's a HUGE issue in our province. It's obscene to have more than 1000 kids staying home every school day.
Posted October 23, 2007 12:53 AM