Pubdate: Thu, 14 Sep 2006
Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.aldergrovestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989
Author: Thomas Toye, Paisley, Scotland

DON'T ENCOURAGE IT

Editor:

Re: Bums Prefer Ocean Views (B.C Views, Sept. 7)

I have just returned from a two-week holiday visiting my family, most 
of whom emigrated to B.C. around 50 years ago. I now have two aunts, 
three cousins and their extended families living in Maple Ridge and I 
always receive a warm welcome.

I congratulate you on your article, which I read on the internet. 
Here in Scotland we have the same problems with the so-called 
"homeless drug addicts" and we also have the same bleeding heart 
politicians and social workers with their schemes, projects and 
solutions to the problems of crime, illegal squatting on private 
property and vandalism caused by these people.

Throwing public money at them, giving them sympathy, free needles and 
places to inject, etc. it's all futile. I know -- I'm a civil servant 
in the Department of Work and Pensions, and the word "work" is simply 
not in their vocabulary. We have them here too: people who would 
rather commit suicide rather than do one day's honest hard work in 
their natural lives.

And why should they? When our government and its agencies give them 
welfare, so-called community care grants and everything they need to 
lead a comfortable life and all at the taxpayers' expense?

We live in crazy times, and with increasingly crazy liberal 
governments not only tolerating these parasites in our midst but 
encouraging them, things will never change.

Your article was accurate, not only describing the junkie issue in 
Canada, but throughout the Western world.

Thomas Toye,

Paisley, Scotland
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine