Dear Editor;
How often we see and hear the slogan “Support Our Troops”? How often we are told that Remembrance Day is the day to remember the sacrifices of those who fought to preserve our freedoms. And then, in Alberta, we consistently turn around and vote as if we have no appreciation for what was fought for - democracy and the freedoms our Canadian constitution grants us.
If one looked at the way Albertans vote, it might be easy to assume that Albertans would be just as content and apathetic living under the rule of a dictatorship. All that stands between dictatorship and at least the illusion of democracy is the courage, dedication, and social conscience of a few candidates willing to endure ridicule, character assassination, and certain defeat in Alberta elections.
For the sacrifices made by our constituency’s election candidates in order to give us a choice this past year, Rita Dillon, Tim Robson, Shawn Mann, Les Parsons, Steve Bradshaw, Edith McPhedran, Daniel Friesen, and Joe Anglin all deserve our great thanks. They all actually take action to uphold the ideals of democracy and freedom, even if the majority of eligible voters could care less and have no interest in even informing themselves of the issues at stake.
Evone Monteith
Ponoka, Alta.