Dear Editor:
Re: Flaherty finds deep well of stupidity, In My Opinion, Burnaby NOW, June 1.
After reading Matthew Claxton's article I was compelled to write a response. Firstly, thank you for your column. I found it to be reassuring to know that there are those who are not fooled into thinking that anything our government does for us is not good. Matter of fact, the opposite is most often the true case.
When I read the newspapers I often cringe and feel horrible when I learn of the ongoing suffering of good honest people just trying to make a living or, as it stands now, trying to keep their heads above the water.
I am a seasonal worker and, from what I am gathering, soon to be an extinct breed of worker. All throughout my adult life I have had to make constant career adaptations in order to keep working. Not an easy task when I have ADD as diagnosed, however, I have learned that there is no sympathy from our government for those of us inflicted with mental health issues.
I did manage to find a decent-paying job that is best suited for my mental issues. As it turns out it is a seasonal one. I have been at this job for four years, whereas this upcoming year I have a real decent chance at getting more work and perhaps even getting full-time due to the attrition of the senior workers soon to be retiring. I thought I had made it - at least until I learned that the Tories have an axe to grind with seasonal workers, who according to Flaherty are not wanting to work.
I can assure you that to go from $23 per hour to having to accept $10 an hour is nothing that any one of the critics would do if the tables were turned. The government needs an enema, starting with the high salaries that are out of touch with us peasants. And I am not inclined to want to pay for EI benefits if I can not collect them. Rather, why don't we cut into the generous pensions that all of our politicians are collecting. There are other ways to find monies or cut back other than to keep hounding the low income to pay for the rich.
Chris Sartorio, by email
