LETTERS: 'Bribery' from P.E.I. politicians and other letters

Most Islanders recognize Trump’s promise of $5,000 to everyone, if he wins, as a straight bribe. If he had financed that gift out of his own pocket, it would still be a bribe to vote for him, but somehow less disturbing than having the taxpayers finance the funds they are being bribed with.

However bribing taxpayers with tax funds that will eventually be paid by the taxpayers themselves, or by their children or grandchildren is all too common on P.E.I.

The latest example is Rob Lantz’s temporary reduction in gas taxes. Why would we subsidize the use of gas cars, when the world needs more electric cars? And why would we add to the deficit, when it’s already over $400 million?

Politicians love to “put money in taxpayers’ pockets.” This is a favourite term of politicians from all parties.

Those politicians, as well as the voters that fall for this blatant bribe, forget that politicians and governments are here precisely to tax us all and then spend the money — wisely.

Taxpayers supports government, not the other way around. Government, aside from paying for our roads, schools and hospitals, also supports those in need, and I personally feel good that my taxes are helping those in need.

Aside from the absurdity of using my tax money to bribe myself and others, such funds generally support those least needy. For instance, reduction in gas taxes helps the biggest gas user the most. So the most help goes to those with the biggest or the most cars.

In fact, in my opinion, the province of P.E.I. should reintroduce its own carbon tax, and use the funds collected to reduce the deficit and restore the checks to low-income people.

As a side benefit, this would increase the conversion to electric cars, which is the way we want to go.

Let P.E.I. be bribe fee. Don’t let the politicians tempt you with your own funds.

Ole Hammarlund,
Charlottetown

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to have government housing officials get the cannabis smokers out of the government-owned, non-smoking apartment building where I live. Recently I sent an email to the Housing Minister Kent Dollar. It was addressed to him. A couple days later I got an email from his admin assistant, telling me she passed it on to the housing officials. OMG!

I wrote back and told her I had probably sent a thousand emails in the past seven years that I’ve had to deal with the stink of cannabis in my apartment, next door to two cannabis smokers. I knew from her email that Minister Dollar had not seen my email, even though it was addressed to him. I simply said in my reply, “I guess that is the way government works today in P.E.I.” They refer it to the workers and do nothing themselves.

And no, I do not rest my case. I will continue to work at getting this horrible stink out of this seniors’ apartment building.

Kathy Birt,
Charlottetown

Old Home Week is a glorious time of year. The midway is here, the Gold Cup and Saucer races are underway with the trials and the big race. Everyone is excited. Tourism is up. Friends and family visit and get excited.

But did you ever notice that as soon as the last race is held, the weather changes. It seems to move into fall. Summer is gone. We put away our shorts and summer wear. We dig out our long-sleeved clothing. We find our winter coats and change out the front closet coats. We are making appointments to get our winter tires out of storage and installed.

It seems to be more logical if we were to postpone Old Home Week by a month, this would prolong summer and lift everyone’s spirits for that much longer. Something to consider.

Scott MacDonald,
Stratford, P.E.I.

This past month was a very hard month for my family and I as I was admitted back into the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in serious condition. If it was not for the attentive, effective actions of the staff on PCU and subsequently in ICU, I would not be here to say my heartfelt thanks to them.

Sabina, Haley and Michael, among others, were there to save my life and work with the incredible doctors to get me the subsequent surgery I needed. Although I was aware we had a very special crew of doctors and nurses and staff at the QEH, I became more acutely aware of how professional, caring, thoughtful and compassionate our health-care workers are as my condition allowed me to travel to another medical facility.

Every day that I remained in the hospital, I grew more convinced that QEH has the best there is, from those in and out of the kitchen, cleaners, nurses, support staff and the internal medicine doctors. The others were good, but the quality of personalized, amazing care I have received at the QEH was second to none.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did for me and my family and all you do for every life you touch. You all had a part in making an unbearable time easier on me and my family. You are all a very special cut of people, and I am truly thankful you decided to come to work for the shifts that you did and make our lives better. I hope you never forget that you make an incredible difference each and every day.

Merrill Oatway,
Cornwall, P.E.I.