Political Fear of the Educated and Informed
This article was published in the Moncton, NB, Times Transcript on Jan. 04, 2010 unedited as well in the Saint John, NB, Telegraph Journal on Jan o1, 2010, edited and finally in the Sackville Tribune Post, Sackville, NB, on Jan. 06, 2010.
Although I do not have the education, ability or the skills to properly assess the proposed sale of NB Power to Quebec Hydro to determine whether or not it will be beneficial for New Brunswick residents for the next 99 years, I do have the ability to appreciate and respect a well presented assessment by those who wish to inform us in an open and independent manner.
I specifically refer to the two very informative separate assessments put forth by Professor Donald Savoie and mathematics student Nathan Ough over the last twenty days. The reason I appreciate these types of assessments is because one can tell they have substance when the corporate leaders and politicians supporting the sale of NB Power either can’t address the issues raised in the assessments with their own valid responses or they hire out of country consultants to discredit the writers of those assessments.
By reacting in such a manner our political leaders appear to not know what they are talking about when confronted by an educated non-political independent assessment from an open point of view. They either do not have the skills to address the issues that Savoie and Ough presented and do not have the courage to admit it or they do not care what the true facts are when it comes to the actual benefits of the sale because of possible undisclosed ulterior motives.
There have been many examples throughout history that indicate everyone should remember most leaders, whether corporate or political, throughout the world are fearful of a well informed citizenry which they intend to manipulate.
This line of tactics is presently be practiced in New Brunswick not only with reference to the sale of NB Power, Savoie has indicated the concealment of the actual financial status of the entire provincial administration keeps New Brunswick residents from having a clear view of the true debt situation of the province and the affects it will have on their future.
When a person states he or she does care if they lose their jobs, which has been stated recently, because of their stand on an issue, it must mean they have already developed future plans to fall back on and have little regard for the future consequences of those issues on anyone else.
New Brunswickers should not only remember the phase “buyer beware” but also “beware of those bearing gifts”, let’s just be sure by being well informed void of political partisanship.
Macx
WG Macx MacNichol
“The Shiretown Image Maker”
Freelance Writer/Photographer
64 Woodlawn Road,
Dorchester, NB, E4K 3 A8
(506) 379-2211 or (506) 379-067
