Dear Editor:
Is there no end to the self-serving, self-interest and greed of our politicians? Notwithstanding an over-the-top pension plan, this new to me $3.6 million budget for MLAs who are defeated or don't run again to receive up to $127,323 (15 months of an MLA's annual salary) in a severance package.
This, based on a base salary of $101,859, along with other perks such as a $9,000 career counselling or re-education when leaving the job is, in my opinion, an over-the-top entitlement and an outrage.
The fact that this is contained and discussed by an all-party parliament committee leaves no-one out of the loop.
It will be interesting to see whether any of our representatives speak out against this golden handshake.
With recent cuts to our New Westminster Seniors' Services Society budget, 100 out of 175 homeless seniors in October without a roof over their heads were turned away and left out in the cold.
This is unconscionable. And it is just one example of the government's callous disregard in cutbacks to people in dire need.
The reason given? There's not enough money in the so-called budget. Really!
Is it possible that our government might, like Ebenezer Scrooge, recant, or as the Grinch that stole Christmas, rethink what they have done and show some respect and empathy for those less fortunate in our society?
Merry Christmas to all.
Bill Zander, New Westminster
