National disgrace
Partly as a result of physician disengagement from the politics of health care, systemic problems in the system have been allowed to become entrenched. This is particularly true of ER crowding. For a decade, we allowed governments of all stripes to portray it as an issue of inappropriate use by patients with minor health concerns; we all knew, however, that the problem primarily rested with government cutbacks in the funding of health care, leading to a critical reduction in hospital and community bed capacity.
For years, our association has encouraged members to get involved in advancing solutions at the political level, as that is where the ultimate solution lies. Unfortunately, it appears that when a Canadian emergency physician publicly speaks out on what we know to be true, they are either "laterally promoted" or dismissed and marginalized.
Dr. Raj Sherman's dismissal from the Alberta Tory caucus (Alberta Health Care: The Cookie Crumbles - editorial, Nov. 24) sends a strong message to us all that we don't really have a voice or a role in solving what can only be considered as a chronic national disgrace.
Alan Drummond, chair, public affairs, Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians
.........
Assertive v. pushy
I see Margaret Wente took a little heat for her comment about Asian and Jewish "pushy parents" (Four-Letter Word - letters, Nov. 24). Isn't it funny how positive stereotypes don't seem to generate much flak (e.g. the Irish have the gift of the gab, the French are pretty good cooks), but if the generalization is not so flattering (e.g. the Germans don't make good stand-up comics or Scots might be a wee bit tight with their money), all of a sudden you're a racist. Perhaps if Ms. Wente had used the adjective "assertive" (oh so positive and desirable these days), rather than "pushy," there would have been no accusations of racism. As for me, well I know the Welsh can't sing very well, Italians don't make very good wine and Brazilians can't play soccer.
Barry Dantzic, Aurora, Ont.
.........
It's alleged that ...
Shades of Shoeless Joe (Payouts Necessary To Get Work, MPs Told - Nov. 24). Alleged corruption? In Quebec? Dites que c'est pas le cas …
M.K. Richards, Westmount, Que.
.........
The alleged corruption in Quebec's construction industry has long been a dog-bites-man story in my family history (An Online Petition With A Populist Twist - Nov. 22). In the 1960s, my late father's company won a low bid to place heating equipment in a Quebec church. However, the contract was illegally awarded to Quebec-based competitors. When my father decided to sue, his lawyer informed him that the case would be heard only in Quebec, and only in French, and would be dragged on interminably. Further, it was understood that everyone involved, from the priest to the janitor, would receive some "financial incentive" to facilitate the letting of the building contract. As a man of principle, my father walked away from it all.
This is not a unique story. Forty-odd years later, plus ça change.
Selby Martin, Toronto
.........
Health care in Oz
My wife and I lived in Australia for 16 years starting in 1989 (It Wouldn't Kill Us To Look At Australian Health Care - Nov. 24). When I needed a colonoscopy, it took place within two weeks. It came at a cost, however. We paid about $1,000 a month for private health insurance to cover the two of us. This, as is the case with many Australians, was as part of a group plan offered through an employer. Our insurance did indeed pay most of the cost of the procedure, but I was still out $1,000 to cover tests and the difference between the specialist's fee and what the company would pay. Quick, efficient and high quality care for sure, but not cheap.
Drugs are less costly in Australia, the result of the government striking national purchase deals with drug companies. Why not a similar scheme here? Australian GPs make considerably less money than Canadian family doctors. This, and their greater numbers in relation to the population, is likely why emergency wait times and overall health costs are lower.
If a serious look is to be taken at the Australian model, it needs to examine the role played by GPs and the manner in which they are trained, and not just at insurance regimes and the role of a private sector.
John Bottomley, Peterborough, Ont.
.........
No approval here
Tom Flanagan, a former chief of staff to the Prime Minister, is reported as saying in response to Laureen Harper's initiative (PM's Wife Joins Fight Against Iranian Woman's Death Sentence - Nov. 24) that, of course, she wouldn't do it without the PM's approval. Would someone please tell Prof. Flanagan that in the 21st century, women get their husband's agreement on issues and not his approval. Prof. Flanagan's comment is pretty ironic in an article on human rights.
Lydia Vale, Toronto
.........
Will the real?
NATO's intelligence assets can't tell the difference between an imposter and senior Taliban leadership (Talks Undermined By Taliban Imposter - Nov. 24)? Is this the leadership on which Canadians are supposed to entrust more time, money and personnel in this endless war?
Kevin Flynn, Ottawa
.........
Free to sell
The decline in Canada's market share in the global wheat trade - from 23 to 15 per cent in the past 15 years - is primarily due to the stifling presence of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly, which prevents Western farmers from selling our wheat directly to flour millers and other buyers (The Growing Problem - Nov. 23). The resulting low prices have contributed to Prairie farmers shifting eight million acres out of wheat and into open market crops such as canola, peas, oats and lentils.
In Ontario, where farmers can export their wheat or sell directly to millers, wheat acreage has increased at the expense of Western farmers. Growing wheat on the Prairies will become more profitable as soon as Parliament gives Prairie farmers the same marketing freedom that Ontario farmers enjoy. When that day arrives, Canada will be on the path to restoring its rightful place as a global superpower in agriculture.
Kevin Bender, Bentley, Alta., president, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association
.........
My chère Cher
Why so churlish on Cher? (Divas Are No Friends To Women - Nov. 23). I read the same Vanity Fair article as Lynn Crosbie and my Cher absolutely adores Meryl Streep, pokes respectful fun at Lady Gaga and freely admits to being a less than perfect mom. She also spends part of her "vast fortune" (yes, Ms. Crosbie, entertainers make a lot of money) in the appropriate fashion of the rich while pointing out that if "you're not worrying about how to put food on your table, you [should be]worrying about why other people don't have food on their table."
When Ms. Crosbie gets a little older, perhaps she'll appreciate how the antics of a 64-year-old glamour puss can't really do women any harm.
Gwynne Basen, Montreal