Dear Editor,

Mondays Journal (February 8, 2016) (Albertans say balancing provincial books no longer a priority poll) seems to indicate that Albertans recognize that our economy has deep, long-lasting problems. The president of Main Street Research (the originator of the poll for post media) said, “People just can’t imagine (now) when oil will be back to $100 a barrel.” Albertans are apparently willing to accept provincial deficits beyond NDP’s election promised date.
Now, let’s be real! Extending deficits further into the future is going to cost a lot more overall. Is it not the responsibility of government to define the strategy which will represent the best way out of our economic mess?
Different parts of our society are “looking in the mirror” and are offering advice (mostly governmentally bad). Monday’s Journal Opinion Page includes an article titled, “Alberta should cut spending not impose sales tax.” The author’s research-based advice is that “reduced spending is generally a better strategy for eliminating deficit than raising taxes. Reduced spending also does less economic damage.” The authors do not provide any suggestions on how spending reduction should be done. There are, of course, many ways that spending can be reduced!
It is respectfully suggested that a least painful approach be adopted – say a five per cent (a figure picked from the air) reduction be imposed on all governmental remuneration (including all politicians). This reduction should apply from the top earners to those earning the bottom of the middle class as defined by the Government of Canada.
The above proposal lacks research of any kind. The Government of Alberta has the staff which can examine many alternatives – that has to be done – a specific plan has to be adopted, promulgated, and put in place. That is the job of good government.
With respect, I remain your trusted servant,

Alex Bauer
Box 1681
Whitecourt, AB T7S 1P5
1-780-778-5410