Drug problem needs compassionate wisdom

LETTERS

It seems a good thing Al Beeber is not the one making decisions about addicts in Lethbridge. He represents a giant step backward, joining people who have no patience with anyone unlike them.

In a short article of maybe 400 words he uses the words “I, me” 20 times; “we and our” 10 times. We can admire his self-discipline, but an unfortunate past does not qualify him to judge others. Stressful circumstances can develop compassionate wisdom, or narrow judgmentalism. The compassionate wisdom can widen our perception of the social destruction caused by poverty. Poor self-image, hopeless job prospects, and inequality can result in an angry intolerance of losers. They are reminders of how vulnerable we all are. Most winners like Jobs and Gates admit they were incredibly lucky.

Mr. Beeber’s oversimplification says it’s all about choice, and, like the righteous right, blames the victim. They are rejected citizens because they do not live up to standards; thrice cursed — by themselves, by Beeber, and by God.

Does this change anything? We can hire more police, build more jails, and vote back the repressive Harper gang. It’s not going to happen, Al. It didn’t work in their model the U.S.A., and it won’t work here. This saving money talk is short-sighted; it ties into the fantasy about smaller government and their perennial “taxsavings” fantasy. Down the road neglecting the addicts costs more in hospital and medical rescue costs, and more expensive police and jails.

Our society can do with a lot less ego massage in corporate offices, and transfer their over-compensation to funding solutions to what causes annual increasing demand at the Food Banks. We could tax church property, too. It has been 25 years since the feds committed to feeding hungry kids and reducing poverty.

Don Ryane

Lethbridge