Letters and comments, Jan. 13

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/01/2017 (2919 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Follow the money

Premier Brian Pallister wants to put wage freezes on public-sector jobs, and hydro workers are accepting a wage freeze. I believe this is the right thing to do, as these workers make more than the hard-working middle- or lower-income people of Manitoba.

However, I do not know why our premier thinks it’s OK to give himself and the ministers who work for him what he calls a small raise. How significant is this small raise given their already-inflated incomes? On the other hand, our premier does not want to increase the minimum wage — why not? Everything around us is going up: rent, bus fare, water, gas, MPI, groceries, etc. How far can one make his or her paycheque go? Most people on lower incomes cannot make it to their next paycheque.

I think the CEOs and higher-income earners of large companies here in our province should have a wage freeze or rollback of their high wages as well. I know it would only be a drop in the bucket for them, and they wouldn’t even notice the change in their salary. Raising the minimum wage will only help, not hinder, our economy.

 

Sandra Coutu

Winnipeg

 

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The federal department of finance released its report just days before Christmas, when most people were busy with upcoming holiday preparations.

Canadians were outraged with the $30-billion yearly deficit, but that’s minuscule compared with what’s to follow. The report states our debt is on track to hit $1 trillion within 15 years, and budgets won’t be balanced until 2055. The Liberals plan to add $130 billion to our debt in the next four years. They also plan to give $2.65 billion to small foreign countries in Asia and Africa to create so-called clean jobs as part of Justin Trudeau’s climate change action plan, compliments of the United Nations.

One should question why these funds are not being used in Canada, if this government is so concerned about emissions. Instead, we’re supplying jobs elsewhere.

While our great leader is threatening to impose a carbon tax on all Canadians, China has approved 1,000 coal-fired plants to be built. Canada produces less than two per cent of global greenhouse gases, yet we’re decimating our natural resource industries, increasing costs of everything to every Canadian and driving jobs elsewhere.

It’s unbelievable so much financial damage can be done in such a short time, especially when we’re not in a global recession.

 

Karen Lalonde

Oakbank

 

The ego that must not be named

We cannot believe the biggest twit in the world is now poised to become the chief Twitterer (we know, it’s not a real word) of our supposed civilization.

Why did so many people become blinded by such a despicable person? Don’t talk to us about a movement. We observed the ongoing fawning by the media over this person because of his being able to create weeks-long attention, along with the associated ratings. Some have placed the free advertising to the tune of more than US$2 billion. This behaviour was bound to be picked up by Fox News and the National Enquirer. Our disappointment lies with the mainstream media. We will not bother to name any as we are bound to miss important ones.

We happened to tune in on TV a few times during the run-up to the election when, with eager anticipation of this person’s making a grand entrance, pictures of the empty podium were shot live for lengthy periods. Inane talk was foisted on the audience during the awaiting of this very important appearance. We all knew the waiting was intended so we would not miss the next stupid pronouncement this idiot was bound to spew.

We really don’t know which is worse, the ongoing tweets or his proclamations from on high at live appearances. The world is in for a rough ride to satisfy this person’s insatiable need to be the centre of the universe as well as his need to enrich the multimillionaires and billionaires with whom he could not previously make friends. They have now hitched their carts to his horse. Hang on to your hats.

 

Denis and Ruth Jeanson

Winnipeg

Sweet memories

Re: Occasional kiss on the lips is her gift (Jan. 10)

Some people with dementia recognize food and are even able to decipher from a menu, but let us not forget the senses of smell and taste.

My mom and I always shared an excellent sense of smell. When she was struck with dementia and eventually placed in a nursing home, she was the epitome of sadness as she sat in her wheelchair. One day, I decided to make her familiar rhubarb and pineapple jam along with her chili sauce, and brought samples of them along with a spoon to her room.

My mom’s face was something to behold, as she sniffed once, then twice, and then a delightful smile emerged on her face at such familiar smells. The spoon was requested immediately to taste and to critique the familiar.

“Next time, Diane,” she said, “less sugar in one and more in the other.”

 

Diane Unger

Dugald

 

Better funding for insulin pumps

I am a Winnipeg resident who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for more than 43 years. I have been very attentive to my health needs and, as a result of this diligence, I have no serious complications of my disease.

Now in my senior years, I continue to work hard at keeping well. Since 2005, I have been using an insulin pump, which has been beneficial in controlling my blood sugars and keeping me in balance. Specific blood tests demonstrate objective improvement as a result of using the insulin pump. The cost implications of pump purchase, as well as ongoing related expenses, are extremely high to the individual.

I have been very lucky my employment benefits paid a portion of the costs for me. The assistance for the pump purchase was once per lifetime. Unfortunately, I am now faced with replacing my pump at a cost of $7,000 with no financial assistance. I am currently working part-time, soon to be retired.

It is wonderful Manitoba Health now covers insulin pump for those 17 years old and under, but there are adult Manitobans living with Type 1 diabetes who are benefiting or would benefit from using an insulin pump if the cost were not prohibitive.

Approximately 10 per cent of people living with diabetes have Type 1, an autoimmune form of the disease that requires insulin for life. Covering the cost of insulin pumps for this relatively small group of people would be extremely positive for them as well as for the province of Manitoba because of reduced health costs and improved chronic disease management.

To quote the report prepared by the Canadian Diabetes Association on The Economic Benefit of Public Funding of Insulin Pumps in Manitoba: “Significant evidence already exists demonstrating the medical benefits of insulin pump versus multiple daily injections of insulin. These benefits also lead to real cost savings for the government, through a noted reduction in costly diabetes complications including heart attack, stroke, blindness, limb amputation and kidney failure.”

 

Ellen Karr

Winnipeg