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Re: Electricity rates

Dear Santa,

The only thing on my Christmas list is my NB Power rebate.

Now with the price of oil down 50 per cent and the overflowing dams spinning money, I have visions of dollar signs dancing in my head.

Surely we do not have to have a rate decrease meeting to lower the cost of electricity. That would only lead to awkward questions.

I'll be understanding.

I'll take the money with no questions asked.

Why Santa, I must have a hundred things to spend that money on: my winter wood bill, extra insulation for the attic, new energy efficient appliances, a solar panel so that I am no longer an energy hostage, and maybe I can even splurge on a New Brunswick Christmas turkey instead of a fake, orange one from Maine.

Now Santa, I know that those old capitalist scrooges over at NB Power are tough nuts to crack, but the owners, the government of New Brunswick, and by extension, the people of New Brunswick, want their money back.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Please send my cheque to:

Mark Glass

Sisson Ridge, N.B.

Shouldn't those most in need get help first?

Re: Corporate welfare

My neighbour has lived in her house without electricity for over a year.

With the help of various people, she has been able to survive. Two of my neighbours bought her a woodstove and others have bought wood and done other things to help, but there has been no help from our government.

It seems a bit ironic to me that one of the richest families in the world and some of the best paid workers in New Brunswick are the beneficiaries of government welfare while this person goes without.

The Irving paper mill in Saint John has had its electric bill subsidized by over $6 million during the past year.

We are all familiar with the term "welfare bums." It is used mostly to describe the poor who get a pittance from their betters, but who would have figured that the real welfare bums live in oversized houses and drive oversized vehicles and dress to the nines on the taxpayers tab?

We should all realize that the forestry sector is hurting and it is in our interest to help them survive the lean times, but we should expect the owners and workers to give a bit to help the cause.

Maybe the Irvings could give some of their land holdings to the government in exchange for the subsidies. I would hope that the workers at the mill will be extra generous with their donations this year, seeing as they are the beneficiaries of corporate welfare.

By the way, if the folks at the provincial electrical utility were not so overpaid, they would not need to disconnect anyone for non-payment, since there would be lots of cash.

The public should visit the government web site at gnb.ca and take a look at the salaries.

Tom Hickie

Fredericton

The corridors of power could use a few more women

Re: Gender in politics

It is discouraging that only one female remains in the Liberal cabinet.

Women have made significant gains and been given more opportunities in the workplace. The corridors of power and influence in Canada would benefit from an influx of talented and dynamic female leaders.

Society has not taken enough advantage of their ideas, creativity, empathy and leadership potential. Canada is similar to the United States in that a White House study indicated that approximately 20 per cent of women in U.S. are involved in areas of business, politics, film industry, as law partners, banking and government agencies.

Women recently have become the majority in social sciences, medical school, music and law at many Canadian universities.

Why do many of these women not become interested or involved in politics? Is it the confrontational nastiness and lack of respect that exist in the political arena?

It is hoped that former leaders like Brenda Robertson, Alexa McDonough, Jeanne Sauve, Flora MacDonald, Belinda Stronach and Kim Campbell, as well as present ones like Leona Aglukkaq, Gail Shea, Carolyn Bennett and Olivia Chow can serve as role models.

It is hoped that they can inspire more women to become involved in the important political process.

This would be advantageous for Canada.

Harold Phalen

Fredericton