Changing Times By Rolly A. Chabot

I do hope you slipped on a warm coat to get here, we are having our usual March weather here in the foothills to the Rocky Mountains. 50 mph winds and sideways snow yesterday, one could say it was blustery out there.

Welcome to the Fireside, I like to think of it as a place which is warm and inviting. I apologies in advance for the cool outside but it will be better soon. I actually have some perennials starting to peek and say hello, only to tuck their heads back in and say no way.

Please get comfortable while I babble along on a subject I have been watching change the past number of years. I am sorry in advance for the rant... Please know that you are loved... hugs to all who read this.

I have sat and watched with interest this past several years the unrest in people. This is so true in the political arena which is so famous for dragging their heels at working for the average working person. I may be out of line in painting a general picture by suggesting I am reminded of pigs pushing and shoving to get to the trough. Once elected they seem to forget they are put into place to work for the people, accomplishing little or nothing except to see to it they are well looked after in their later years.

I realize of course being in the political limelight requires a great deal of sacrifice. In Canada a good example of the pay off comes in securing the top paying retirement after serving only 4 years. For every dollar our federal Members of Parliament pay into the fund, the taxpayers match each dollar by an additional 17 dollars. Plus we pay for all the perks, travel, food etc while they are away from home.

In my case I have paid thousands of dollars in pension deduction over my 40 plus years of working, there is no matching funds and I clear approximately 1500 dollars per month as long as I live. I have been fortunate enough over the years to invest heavily in the markets, some high risk but mainly mid risk. It is these funds that allow me to have a good retirement. At 18,000 in government pension I would never be able to make it and still live the lifestyle I do.

In contrast we have political leaders who are as young as 40 pulling down a pension of 80-100 K per year. They have never faced a depression, a war or really hard times. In turn the men and women who placed their lives on the line during war times are having to sacrifice to get by. Just doing the math I guess I should have focused on a political career rather than running all over, working various high paying trades. All I can say is I am thankful I invested.

I have been following the political unrest in both Canada and the US. I will pick on one leader the people seem to have followed. Donald Trump is a good example, he is saying what other leaders are afraid to say. He is promising to change the landscape of all of America and return it back to what it originally stood for. Do I agree with all he says, no certainly not but I do give him credit for being a business man who has been very successful. Can you say that about many of the past Presidents or those who are running presently.

People are angry, they are fed up with the lies, the corruption they have been seeing over the years. All of the forgotten and unaccomplished promises made while they are seeking to line up for the feeding frenzy to get to the top. The unrest we are seeing at delegations is getting more and more pronounced. People on both sides of our borders are screaming for their rights, small left wing groups are claiming victories each day at what cost.

We are truly blessed with having freedom to voice our opinions. No matter what your freedom is you have the right to speak out. They are slowly being eroded on a daily basis where religion, belief systems etc are turning the tides where groups who are a minority are operating claiming what ever is said or done they find offensive. I say if you choose to live in a country then you live by the laws of that country. I would defy anyone who dare enter the borders of where they came from and make the same demands.

Both our countries over the years have opened their borders to immigrants seeking a better life. Good hard working people who accepted our morals and values. Today is far different, far to often people are coming in claiming refuge status and yet they are mainly well dressed young men.

I am all for giving a hand up and supporting immigration if there is an effort to better yourself. I am opposed to having to watch immigrants come in and use the system fully and yet stand waving their countries flags and protesting. People are getting to the point of beginning to reject the immigration policy all together. How long is before you have opened your doors before you become the minority.