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Today in the Crowsnest Pass does it really boil down to a choice of colours?
On the one hand we have a spendthrift, tax grabbing, egocentric Mayor and Council that are off on their own agenda alienating most residents with each passing day. On the other, we are seeing the recent reactivation of the Ratepayers Association being revived in part by the likes of Dean Ward, a former disgruntled councillor, who at last night's meeting prepared and distributed what Bud at the Herald would call 'propaganda' material. (btw/ Bud was there last night snapping pictures like crazy that I'm sure will never see the light of day in his paper, but I'm certain will be seen by the 'chosen few', as to who was there at this meeting.)
Are these the only two choices the people in the Pass have? I think not.
Being somewhat a follower of Buddhist philosophy I believe there is a better way. Of the two choices above where one wants to change everything, while the other wants nothing to change, I believe in the middle way. How about you?
The Middle Path
Suppose My Hand Were Always Like That?
Suppose My Hand Were Always Like That?
Mokusen Hiki was living in a temple in the province of Tamba. One of his adherents complained of the stinginess of his wife. Mokusen visited the adherent's wife and held his clenched fist before her face.
'What do you mean by that?' asked the surprised woman. 'Suppose my hand were always like that, what would you call it?' 'Deformed,' replied the woman.
Then he opened his hand flat in her face and asked: suppose it were always like that -- what then? 'Another kind of deformity,' said the wife.
'If you understand that much,' finished Mokusen, 'you are a good wife.' Then he left. After his visit this wife helped her husband to distribute as well as to save.
"The greatest art is to attain a balance, a balance between all opposites, a balance between all polarities. Imbalance is the disease and balance is health. Imbalance is neurosis, and balance is well-being."
Osho
Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
2 comments:
John
Couple of points;
"Former disgruntled councilor"
So if I participate in any kind of group or organization or blog with views opposite to the current council and administration, I will be labelled has the above.
That makes me think of a letter that went out just a few weeks ago slamming barbershop quartets and coffee shop boys and gals.
So would anybody that sat on council in the past and now does not agree with the present Mayor and council be a "Former disgruntled councilor"
Yes I was asked to put some points on paper regarding taxing and spending. I helped with the "propaganda" anybody is welcome to argue those points. Tell me which points are in correct? I would change any inaccurate statement in a second. All anybody has to do is point it out to me.
To associate myself with wanting to change nothing, I don't know where I have ever taken that position.
Change is indeed a part of life and will be a part of our community.
Unless the change you are talking about is additional administration, more municipal spending, more municipal tax grabs, increased debt load, community peace officers. You are right those changes I am opposed to.
I think now is the perfect time for the ratepayers to come together. Right now you have people bitching all over this community about not liking this not agreeing with that.
One person standing up at a town hall meeting or sitting in council chambers is not going to change anything. We are entering the last year of this councils term, some of the present team will be seeking re election you bring together a group of concerned citizens even 3-400 strong.
In a community of this size the politicians that do want to come back will hear that group not a single individual.
We don't need to start petitions to run council out of town, that is plain wrong that is why we have elections. But if a group of taxpayers want to get together and approach the politicians holding them accountable is there something wrong with that?
Somebody asked me why the councilors with blogs are not commenting? I believe it's for two reasons one that the "boss" will communicate councils position and two they figure if they wait long enough the other bloggers will turn on each other.
Dean Ward
Dean, I don’t want to get in a pissing match with you but it is pretty obvious to me what you are up to here with reviving the Ratepayers with an election coming up in the next year or so. Your actions are no different than the mayor’s that I spoke to in the Mayor’s Corner in burning bridges rather than building them… the “us” vs “them” scenario.
I am advocating a better way… the middle way. That is all.
‘Propaganda’ is what I said Bud would call it thinking back to how he described information provided by the previous Ratepayers Association to the public, not what I would call it. What you provided was facts and figures that I challenge anybody, including mayor and council, to argue with.
With respect to your last comment, I think you got that the other way around.
JP
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