But now in Alberta, we have a government that is unwilling to govern (this whole $400 reward decision was made behind closed caucus doors and announced in front of TV cameras because the legislature has not been opened since its summer break). We also have a government that wishes individuals to make decisions of how to redistribute the communal wealth.

Considering how unemployed and debt-ridden I am, you’d think I’d be happy to get random cheques from the government, but I’m not; I’m livid. I’m tired of Klein declining to fulfill his democratic duties and I’m sick of his cynical maneuvers to buy our complacency. What to do? Refuse to cash the cheque? Take the money and mail 400 postcards of complaint to the legislature? Give 400 loonies to 400 homeless people?

Giving the money to a charity would be a nice gesture, but it would also reinforce the government’s contention that the non-profit/charity sector is better suited to deliver social services that the government is unwilling to concern itself with. I think the government can deliver services more efficiently, and I think that its history of cutbacks combined with its reticence to regulate and/or organize non-profit activity has resulted in an overloaded, inefficient and unsustainable charitable sector that must attempt to fulfill the demands of a society whose needs are not met by the institution charged with the responsibility of meeting those needs.

Any use of the money seems inadequate in comparison to the way in which it should be used: by the Alberta government, for the people of Alberta, through government programs. Health, education, affordable housing, legal aid… any of these could use more funding.

This seems like an opportunity to make some kind of statement, but despite all my ranting, I’ll probably just spend my share on rent or food.