Just to Clarify...

Thank you everyone who responded to my last post. I was deeply touched, and I truly do appreciate it. Based on the comments, I just want to clear up a few things:

1) As tight with its purse strings as the Alberta government is, it does not only pay me only $315, though I certainly understand how you could arrive at that conclusion based on how I worded my challenge. I receive $1965 modified AISH because my building runs on the Designated Assisted Living program, and my rent is $1650. The $315 is what is left over after the rent is paid. I pay my Internet bill, then I decide if I can afford toilet paper, shaving cream, and a $84 bus pass or three bus ticket books. Believe me, if the government only paid me $315, I think I would stage a production of Oliver! on the Legislature steps! Thanks to Loretta for reminding me to choose my words more carefully. Best of luck to you!

2) To Melanie, a candidate who wanted to know if she was supposed to run a household or a government on $315 per month, it was meant to be a household. Let's say a family of four, with food, clothing, school fees, dental visits and and the like, just to make things interesting. Thanks Melanie, and best of luck to you!

Thanks also to Joe Albertan, whose blog can be found at www.joealbertan.blogspot.com. Joe tirelessly chronicles the many blunders of our leaders. He was kind enough to link my "Some Simple Math" and "MLA Challenge" posts on his blog. Along the way, he has offered much support and encouragement. Thanks friend, I appreciate it. Keep up the great work Joe, way to go!

Your Partner In Life

An MLA Challenge

Okay, Alberta MLAs. I've let you know how much of a budget I have to work with every month.

$315 dollars.

I'm willing to look past the old-style fist-shaking, talking-head screaming matches like the CNN Crossfire of old.

Let me gather you around a virtual table, as we raise our water glasses and I issue you the following challenge.

"Tell me how you would spread out 315 dollars over the course of one month."

Hit the comment button.

Email me at carydean65@gmail.com

Search Michel Mike Hebert on Facebook.

I want to hear from you.

Let's start a dialog.

I'm ready and willing.

Are you?

Your Partner In Life

Some Simple Math

For those who don't already know, I have cerebral palsy.

It's not something I spend a lot of time thinking about, as it doesn't really affect my daily life, such as my ability to blog.

But the fact is that I need a relatively small amount of care to start my day. I am very satisfied with the care that I receive in the building in which I live, and with the company that runs the building and provides the care.

I truly do not mind paying the $1650 per month that it costs to live in the building, as this covers utilities, three square meals in a cafeteria, snacks, laundry and all that great care.

But what I do mind is an Alberta government that gives me $1965 and says "Here's $315, go play real-life Monopoly now". That's one bill and a couple of incidentals, folks. If you want to save for your future, as the disabled can now do with the Registered Disability Savings Plan? Too bad fella! Enjoy that bag of chips now!

Add to that a municipal government that thinks nothing of charging me $84 for a monthly transit pass while charging seniors with GICs and stock portfolios about $30 for a pass they can use all year. I am very grateful for all that seniors did for me and my way of life during the war years, but where's the logic?

Don't misunderstand, I am fully aware of the mess the global economy is in, and I am not going to sit on my ass expecting a free pass. All I want is some accountability and common sense from our elected officials in the Progressive Conservative party, who have been running things for 40 years. As evidenced by the recent YouTube "cookie" sensation starring the now-ousted head of the Alberta health authority, common sense is now not part of their vocabulary.

There is now a new party on the horizon: the Wildrose Alliance. I am now willing to listen to their common sense approach, which involves not muzzling their MLAs in caucus, for one thing.

Your Partner In Life