To the editor:
We seem to be afraid of Communism but we should be afraid of Capitalism. How about considering Realism.
Let us look at the facts. We live in a country that is rich in natural resources. We can be totally self-sufficient. There is no need to import products, especially from non-democratic countries and those capitalizing on poverty wages.
There is no shortage of jobs. Just look around us and see the need for road work, the rebuilding of an efficient and safe rail system, the need for new bridges, putting our electric power underground, building hospitals, research in the medical field, and I am sure you can keep adding to these needs.
We are told that we cannot afford to raise the minimum wage to a liveable wage, but we can afford to over-pay CEOs to support denying full-time employment and putting the consumer to do tasks that employees used to be paid for. Just consider the services that we used to get and what we get now.
If we cannot afford to have all of the necessities for a good life, then there is a flaw in our monetary system. To be limited in funds based on a lump of gold or some previous substance buried in a vault, it should be obvious that we need a better system.
If we produce money based on needs, it would be beneficial, but we then would need controls to prevent extortion, and monopolies that are now prevalent.
We have been treating the needs of the under-paid by charity which, at its best, is Band Aid treatment. It does nothing to solve the problems.
We need some real leadership in constructive reform.
Art Ferguson, West Kelowna
