Let good people do good things with their time and money

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” — Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

Reagan understood the vast potential of a giving, caring, conservative culture. I am pleased and proud that more than 100 Albertans joined Jason Kenney and myself on Aug. 2 to help kick off a series of endorsements for Kenney from United Conservative MLAs.

After a resounding 95 per cent vote in favour of uniting the Wildrose and PC parties, it’s time for all Albertans who believe in limited government to work together to share ideas, resources and solutions.

Let me be clear. Cypress-Medicine Hatters are among the most independent of Albertans and the good people here consistently tell me that encouraging self-reliance and independence will free people up to help one another, our families and communities and enhance the fabric of our giving. In a nutshell, government needs to be limited so we can allow good people do good things with their time and money.

Equally as important, is southeast Albertans’ desire to leave the province better for our kids and grandkids. Albertans are shocked that while they are working hard, building, and foregoing consumption for the next generation, that in spite of significant tax increases the last two years, the Alberta government’s deficit budgets, to the tune of $90 billion have the potential to increase taxes so much on our children that it will evaporate much of this generation’s hard work and stewardship. Families and communities are the building blocks of Alberta culture and need limited government and local decision making to reach their maximum goodwill and potential.

Alberta is not about credit downgrades, people withdrawing from the workforce and ever increasing centralization of services into the larger metros. The Alberta Advantage is about working hard, taking calculated risks, sharing with our neighbours and all Canadians and being happy and proud because we are able to do just that.

Because 95 per cent of you asked me to work out issues of difference with the PC party and unite as a single, members-driven, fiscally Conservative party, I have 100 per cent accepted that. The focus now is on local decision making, families and communities and returning the Alberta economy to one of prosperity, jobs, balanced budgets and low and incentive based taxation.

Drew Barnes is the Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA representing the United Conservative Party and Shadow Minister of Energy.