Dear Editor
Why is it only during an election that we hear the politician mouths talking about Saskatchewan owned, Saskatchewan operated and Saskatchewan proud. We also hear somewhere in the background how Saskatchewan is economically booming.
As soon as the election is over, what are they trying to do? There are rumblings in the parliament (sic) that SaskTel is to be sold. SaskPower will be next and let us not forget to privatize health care.
Why is it when you have a problem with any of these resources, the first thing the government does is pass the buck and say, "We need to sell these commodities off because they are just costing too much money."
All throughout the 1970s and ‘80s these resources were running confidently and now the government we voted in is trying to get rid of all the resource we have instead of trying to make Saskatchewan grow further and make them run more smoothly.
SaskTel is a wonderful resource, but if you have trouble with your phone line you’re looking for a wait of three days without a telephone. In rural areas that can make a difference of life or death. If you have an emergency and there is no telephone there could be major consequences, I am sure not to the government, but certainly to family members. ·
I have to say SaskPower has been true to itself by trying to fix a situation as fast as possible as long as you have the understanding that it takes time for them to respond to the location and find out where the problem is. Even though their costs have fluctuated over the years, it is still a company that remembers they are there for their clients.
Now the government is talking about privatizing health care. Saskatchewan was reported to have the longest wait times in the country for surgeries. The seniors in the nursing homes have no voices because everyone is too busy passing the buck, yet these are the people who helped to make this province what it is today. No one is supervising what is happening to them or caring about them for that matter. The ones that have family members can be a voice for them. What about those who don't? Who is looking after them? The ones with family members are getting frustrated and giving up as well, because their voices are not being heard when you try to get help.
Didn't Saskatchewan already privatize health care in a form by separating the health regions, which isn't working either because no one will take the blame for the wrongdoing in their district. It was their responsibility when they were voted in, based upon their campaign speeches, which used to be called campaign promises. Why and when did that change?
Economically we are prospering through potash, oil, grain and livestock, but what good are these commodities if the money is not put back where it belongs and that is into the health care as well as the companies that are owned and operated here in Saskatchewan. In fact I have to ask myself where the money from all this prospering is going.
If this worked in the 1970s and ‘80s and it isn't working now. Instead of saying the resources are costing too much, why don't they put the truth forward and say the government is costing Saskatchewan too much and quit trying to sell off what is supposed to be Saskatchewan operated, Saskatchewan owned and Saskatchewan proud. Figure out the right way to operate so we can be proud once again and move forward instead of reflecting on what good we had.
Tammy Gerlinsky
Wilkie
